I had such a great response to my last Eighties music post, I’m going to go back into the musical vaults more often. This week’s throwback jam is from 1990.
The early Nineties were such an embarrassing, funny, great period of fashion and music. Dudes in spandex biker shorts doing the Roger Rabbit. Chicks with bangs sprayed up four inches tall, wearing neon minidresses. I was ALL about it! I love the videos from the era – it’s just when mainstream rap started to get more raunchy (remember Candyman’s Knockin’ Boots?) but they weren’t yet really overtly filthy. It was around this time I actually needed a friend from school to tell me what O.P.P stood for. (And I was like, “ohhhhhhh…” So funny to think of that now).
So the song of the day goes with my post yesterday. No longer feeling “ugh,” today, I’m feeling Nicety. If you really want to know, just ask me.
Y’all remember Michel’le? The first time I heard her speaking voice, I was like – what the…? Is she for real? And yes, she was. And that squeaky voice made her unique and endearing to me. I loved Nicety, I LOVED No More Lies — aw, Dr. Dre looks so young and so not buff in that video — and Something in My Heart was the JAM. She was so perfect on the hook for We’re All In the Same Gang. I need an MP3 of that song, STAT. Anyone got a link for that?
So where’s Michel’le at now? She’s got an official MySpace with some newer material on there (and there’s a video for Hang Tyme on YouTube), but her website still says “coming soon.” No sign of a record deal or any new music dropping soon that I was able to find. Shame, too. I miss you, Michel’le!
Tell me your favorite jams from that early Nineties period – I’m gonna keep the throwbacks coming!
Jaime
I love the early 90s! Some of my favorites are:
Shai
Christopher Williams: All I See
Rude Boyz: Written all Over your Face
UNV: Something’s Going On
Portrait: Here We Go
Ladae: Party Tonite
Mint Condition
Boyz II Men
Positive K: I Got a Man “What’s your man gotta do with me” LOL
Niki
It would have to be anything Jodeci or Boys II Men. Any song by them instantly snaps me back to high school. Or “young and hungry” Mary J. Blige (I love that she’s in a great place in her life now, but I do miss the earthiness of her “My Life” era). We used to jam to “Rump Shaker” by WrecksNEffect and “Electric Relaxation” by Tribe Called Quest. Good times!
Trinichica
Wow, what a great throwback! I used to get a kick out of how Michel’le’s voice could switch from soulful songstress to a sqeaky mouse…amazing. She was definitely one of my favorites at that time..The first time I heard her sing, I was a cashier at Joyce Leslie on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn..I can’t believe I actually remember that! The best for me were:
Tony Terry – With You…..this song is my all time favorite!!!
Jodeci – Forever my lady
Joe – Everything – I love every song he sings!
SWV – It’s about time
Mary J. Blige – What’s the 411
Alliyah – Age Ain’t Nothin but a Number
Anita Baker – You’re my Angel
Sade – Love is stronger that pride
Jonathan Butler – Do You Love Me?
I could go on and on but I won’t….Bella, have a old-school kinda day.. 😉
Demetria
I love the throwback jams!
De La Soul- Buddy
Jon B (aka the original Robin Thicke)- They Don’t Know
Color Me Badd- Sex You Up
Prince- Gett Off
En Vouge- Don’t Go
Martha B.
I love Old School/New Jack Swing music, so this definitely made my day!
After 7 – Can’t Stop [I LOVE that song!], Ready or Not, and Heat of the Moment
Mint Condition – What Kind of Man Would I Be, Pretty Brown Eyes, and You Send Me Swingin’
Jon B. feat. Babyface – Someone to Love
Al B. Sure! – Off on Your Own (Girl)
Mariah Carey – Can’t Let Go
Blackstreet – Joy
Afrodite
Yeah, I remember Michel’e or however you spell her name. I remeber being shocked the first time I heard her voice.
P.S. Is that Eazy-E?
Chelle
Wow Bella, You really pulled up a classic 90’s jam. It’s all starting to come back to me now. 90’s fashion was crazeee, cross colours, Used jeans, hi top fades (the gumby), move something dresses, Starter Jackets and long denim jackets with air brushed artwork and rhinestones. 1990 I was doing the running man in gym class and roger rabbit at the bus stop. Ah, memories.
I remember having Tony Toni Tone in constant rotation on my tape deck (Whatever You Want is my all time fave classic slow jam, close second is It Never Rains in Southern California). Money Love was my favorite female rapper. Don’t ask me why but I was in love with Red Head Kingpin. I also loved Big Daddy Kane. I admit to liking Paula Abdul’s first album but I was into dance so I claimed it was because she was a dancer. Janet’s Rhythm Nation, hit and it was one of the best concerts ever. Still remember how everyone was dancing all night. BBD Poison was also popular at my school. I’m from Detroit, so it was always Hammer Time. If I look hard enough I can still find someone who hasn’t quite left that era behind.
I also recall a lot of dance/step routines. I think my sis and I taped the one from A Diff World where the girls were dressed in yellow tops and black biking shorts. We practiced it until we felt we could perfom in public. Yup, we were a little crazy back in the 90’s.
Great Post, Bella!
gee
Hey Chelle you can’t forget about Pebbles, LOL.
Anyway, I had Miche’le’ CD but someone stole it during one of my overseas moves back from Germany 🙁 Someone was talking about her on another site not too long ago, and I was shocked to know that she had a baby from both Suge Knight and Dr Dre. I hope she comes back because she’s always had skills!
MoniMoni
Karen White- I Love The Way You Love Me
Pebbles-Giving You The Benefit
Heavy D and The Boyz – We’ve Got Our Own Thang
Mary J. Blige –You Remind Me
Can I also give a shout out to Tevin Campbell? I loved him! “Tell Me What You Want Me To Do”, “Round and Round” “Tomorrow’ “Can We Talk”…oh, the memories.
SJay
Babyface “I Give Good Love” and “Whip Appeal.” ‘Nuff said.
Demetria
Chelle, I am with you! I thought Redhead Kingpin was too fine! LOL I just posted a link to “Pump It Hottie” a few days ago on my blog.
Shonquayshah
ooooooooooowee! don’t get me started!
I LOVED me some Round the Way Girl by LLCoolJ
my favorite Christopher Williams jam was “Dreamin'” from the New Jack City soundtrack! from the poor womans Christopher Williams a.k.a. Al B. Sure! (don;t forget the exclamation point! Night and Day. Color Me Bad, What? uh to the tick tock you don’t stop!
I’d like to request a double dose of anything by Jodeci and Mokenstef when you are having the foolywangest names for a group day post!
Also, I would like some Craig Mack -Flavor in your Ear Remix and a sprinkling of Ill Al Scratch a dash of Poor Righteous Teachers and a teaspoon of Zhane!
i could go on, but i’ll be here all night!
MunyHuny
I was so sorry to hear you were having an ugh day yesterday because you always put a smile on my face! Thanks for all you do. I love all of your posts, but the music ones always take me back.
jerseybred
Hey Bella, I’m happy you feel better today:)-just a few????
I know this is late 80’s but I love this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa1cc8IPU9s
Gangsta Lean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDXcI0BjbmM
I’m Ready: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU9NHjQWOGU
Understanding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiR4qOk8TH0
I’ll Give All My Love To You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqxDOwQMzqM
Independent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9hpOhKNgtk
Not Gonna Be Able To Do It
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izHMv-ZVsbw
okay I’m going to sleep now
afrobella
So bellas… those of you who read the comments that is… woke up this morning to do my big Friday post that I worked on late last night, and my computer won’t even turn on. Thank God I’m married to an IT guy. He’s working to fix everything, but I won’t be able to get a post up until it’s done. My sincerest apologies, and I hope to be back up and running by later today. Fingers crossed. Back to some of those “ugh” day tips…
don
Michele was the bomb play back in the days. Love the first album the most.
She covered all the bases from style, song and swagger.
I never could understand how she sounded so grown on a mic, but so child-like everywhere else.
Tori
Yes, I love the 90’s music. It was a good time then and the music was more “Love” being spoken. I wish i could go back.
SusieQ
I posted and I have not seen my listing.
SusieQ
Here we go again,
For fun cleaning house songs :
Shalamar’s – Night to remember, Second time around.
Cheryl Lyn’s – Sweet kinda life, Got to be real
King Floyd’s – Groove me
For a nice sensual tone for you and Hubby try :
Howard Hewitt of Shalamar’s ” Once, twice, three times” and Jeffrey Osborne has done a smashing version
of “Yes I’m ready” and also his song “Baby”; Keith Sweat’s “Twisted” and “Am I dreaming” with Xscape and Keith will heat things up.
I also like GQ’s – ” I do Love you”
Xscape’s “Who can I run to
Oh and Ruben Studdard did Al Green’s ” How can you mend a broken heart” so finnnneeeeeeeee, I now listen to only his version, sorry Al. These are just a tip on the ice-burg of my choices.
Wendy
Okay, I remember a lot of these tunes but I never knew and still don’t know what OPP means. I was always too embarrassed to ask! Could someone please put my poor out of touch mind at ease?!
Kat
Thanks Jaime for reminding me of Mint Condition…I killed Pretty Brown Eyes and 10 Million Strong in college.
My jams were:
Groove Theory: Tell Me
Brand New Heavies: Never Stop; Brother Sister
Anything by Chante’ Moore
Craig Mack: Flava in Ya Ear (still rock that on the IPod!!!)
Fugees: The Score and da Vocab
Jade: Don’t Walk Away
Cutty Ranks: A Who Seh Me Done
And anything by Patra, Buju, Shabba (especially the Jam with KRS-One and Housecall with Maxi Priest)
Thanks Afrobella…you’ve started another ITunes hunt for me!
amber
*sings* i like the way you kiss me when we play the kissing game
Stunner
You are certainly right about the dress code of the early 90’s. it was pretty bizarre!
I have started posting some videos from back in the days myself, but mine is 90’s Dancehall.
WryBeauty
Oh my goodness! I loooove this song. My favorites of all time are
Sheila E-Glamorous Life
Klymaxx-Meeting in the Ladies’ Room
and any song by Prince.
kimabe
WOOOOW…the 90’s we’re so funky fresh (lmbao)
here’s a few from my crate:
The Jungle Brothers: “Girl I’ll House You”
Native Tongues: “The Buddy Song”
Guy: “Groove Me” and “Piece of My Love”
Wrecks N’Effect: “Rump Shaka”
Stacy Lattisaw: ” Let Me be Your Angel”
Janet Jackson: “Love Will Never Do Without You”
TLC: anything from them was the bomb
Slick Rick:” Children’s Story” (usta wop to that like a crazy fool)
Inner City: “Good Life” (shout out to all the house heads @ the old Sound Factory in NYC)
and…(drumroll)
Johnny Kemp: “Just Got Paid”
aww…this was so cool to go back to the time when music was just so so fun
and I’ll add thes two cuz these groups were the bomb:
Eurythmics: “Sweet Dreams are Made of This” Annie lennox is oof the chain
and Tears for Fears: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
keep it groovin’ yall…and ms bella thank u for takin’ it back…kimabe, brooklyn
Amir Thompson
That song reminds me of another track which I really enjoyed listening to … I can’t really recall which :/ anybody happens to know who I am looking for?
Smokeless Cigarettes
While I really like the post, I think there was an mistake close to the end of the fourth paragraph.