The first artist’s music that I decided to dive into was inspired by my step-father. I informed him of what I hoped to accomplish on my mission and he gave this LONG list of songs and artists that I should listen to. Pops is getting a little older so his memory of album titles isn’t really there anymore , but its all good with me! As he started talking about Public Enemy and Grandmaster Flash, I remember N.W.A being at the top of the list. Not surprising to me, I did not even know what N.W.A stood for; but, I know now and that is a move in a positive direction! I have now imported into my library N.W.A and the Posse, Niggaz4life, and 100 Miles and Runnin’.  I plan on taking the rest of the week to really listen to these albums. Reviews will follow…

I always hang with an older crowd and they sometimes make fun of my knowledge of select music eras. Born in the late 80s, my parents raised me on what I consider to be legendary music. Artists such as Otis Redding, Chaka Khan, Earth Wind & Fire, Diana Ross, The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Gladys Knight, LTD, Teena Marie, Anita Baker, and Cherrelle provided the only music I was allowed to listen to during my early childhood. By the time I was of age to understand music and the influence it had on my life, it was the late 90s. Before then, I was trying to listening to everything my older sister and cousins played, which is why one of my all-time favorite songs is Regulate by Warren G. and Nate Dogg. My sister exposed me to the Notorius B.I.G., my godsisters exposed me to Adina Howard and Wilson Phillips, while Hanson emerged during my coming of age. Growing up in a predominately white area, I was jamming to N*Sync and Britney Spears during my teen years. I am glad I was exposed to different genres of music during my childhood because I listen to a variety of things now. After talking to MC LYTE yesterday, I feel like I was deprived. I’m not very knowledgeable of many artists and groups from the late 80s/early 90s. I’m about to spend the next few months listening to as much music as I can from this time period. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE leave a comment and inform me of some ‘must-have’ albums that I need to get! Hopefully with this information, I’ll be able to inform my peers about how music should be!