During a time when many people around the world are uncertain what to expect next regarding the pandemic, some celebrities are using the downtime to give back.
Utilizing social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook Live, many celebrities are going online to lend their talents to help ward off boredom and help keep fans from going stir crazy. Singer John Legend kicked off the trend by announcing that he would be streaming a live free concert from his living room on Tuesday (Mar 17) as a part of the #TogetherAtHome initiative.
Legendary choreographer and actress Debbie Allen also took part in the trend, offering to live stream free dance classes for fans to assist with those having trouble with social distancing.
The Emmy Award-winning actress, dancer, and owner of Debbie Allen Dance Academy — who also stars as Dr. Catherine Fox on Grey’s Anatomy — announced she is teaching a dance class on Instagram Live on Wednesday (Mar 18) at 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST.
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Even DJs are getting in on the trend, using social media to have an all-out session or to teach techniques. Veteran MC and DJ Mad Skillz took to his social media on both Monday and Wednesday of this week, to live-stream his old school spin sessions to help with those in need of relief.
For those who are fans of the culinary, celebrity chef and Gucci Osteria’s Massimo Bottura announced that he is offering free culinary classes via Instagram Live.
While many are turning to the best delivery service available, others are using the time at home to jump into their own kitchens, and the Michelin-starred chef wants to help with a nightly, free cooking series he officially launched via his personal Instagram page.
Erykah Badu is also using her talents to aid in relief. On Tuesday (Mar 17), Badu announced that she was launching her “Quarantined Concert Series” to bring entertainment to her fans from the comfort of their homes.
“Listen love, the show must go on,” she said in a minute-long clip uploaded to her Instagram page. “We gotta keep moving, y’all. We gotta keep this thing going. We’re a community of artists who…our survival depends on performing, creating, laughing, living, and loving when we’re still alive.”
For those into Alternative Music, Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin, also shared his talent by live-streaming an intimate, impromptu home concert on Monday (Mar 16).
“I was supposed to be with the band Coldplay today, from which I come, but we’re stuck in different countries. So we can’t play together” he said into the camera. “So I’m here at your service for the next 20-something minutes. I’ve never done this before, so if I seem a bit nervous, I’m sorry.”
SiriusXM also announced the launch of the Ultra Virtual Audio Festival on UMF Radio starting this Friday (March 20). The limited-run radio channel will feature exclusive DJ sets from artists who were set to take the stage at the now-canceled Ultra Music Festival in Miami this weekend, including Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, Major Lazer and more.
Yungblud raged out during a YouTube concert that featured appearances from Machine Gun Kelly, Bella Thorne and more. “Having the ability to connect with you ain’t gonna get taken away. f— that. I can’t wait to see you,” he previously tweeted. “Tell ya fookin mates. CONCERT MONDAY 7AM PST… I want the show to feel as real as possible.”
Miley Cyrus will host another hourlong live stream on Instagram starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. This installment will include a seven-minute workout, plus chats with Amy Schumer and her husband Chris Fischer as well as Love Is Blind breakout couple, Lauren and Cameron. Cyrus plans to do her Bright Minded live streams Mondays through Fridays.
Once again, we repeat, Skillz has the only yearly rap up that matters. The rapper returned for his annual practice of recapping the year, and boy did he cover all the bases for 2019.
2019 was one for the books when it came to everything pop culture, and Skillz was up to the task. He didn’t miss a beat for “Rap Up 2019,” touching on everything that had the internet and streets talking. In the 2019 edition of the song, no stone was left unturned either.
“And I was like y’all glued to the telly, Lifetime dropped a bomb with Surviving R.Kelly. But don’t be mistaken the Feds ain’t breaking, Rob had it coming this was years in the making.”
“Gucci was living foul, Bird Box was wild, and if you went to Fyre Fest *ad-lib*, it’s above me now. Then Spike got his Oscar, and he had to flex, and we all shook our heads at Jussie Smollet. Half us was like nah he’s cappin’, the other half was hmmm imma see what happens. Hate crime staging? Bro just stop, cause there’s no such thing as the gay Tupac.”
“And Endgame made some bread. Must be something in the water, Taylor Swift won’t wash her legs. And Ayesha Curry gets a mention. Talkin’ ’bout, ‘It’s not wanted, but I’d like to get some male attention.”
He didn’t miss a thing, trust us, you can listen to the song below and Happy New Year.
Since 2001, this day has marked the anniversary since our beloved Princess of R&B and Queen of Urban Pop was killed in a plane crash after filming the music video for “Rock the Boat” off her perfect self-titled album, Aaliyah. The serenity of the beat paired with her light-as-a-feather vocals, even with its suggestively coy lyrics, have stood the test of time as one of the most beautiful R&B videos of all time, while also being one of the most heartbreaking as well.
Granted, she was a beast on the soul tip, but Baby Girl was also one of the premiere R&B divas who had no problem riding a Hip-Hop beat with syncopated bliss. Much like her ’90s predecessors Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey, Aaliyah brought out the softer side of the street and could hold her own next to some of the hardest rappers during her era of reign. So, while we’ll always remember her for being a soul siren with the voice of an angel, The Source decided to take the 18th anniversary of Aaliyah’s untimely passing to give you all 25 of her illest rap collabs and remixes.
From making sure DMX made it back in one piece, to getting a fresh-out-of-jail Slick Rick on a Marvin Gaye cover, let’s look back at Aaliyah as a Hip-Hop star:
Hot like fire: Aaliyah (circa 1997) recording the “Night Riders” remix with Boot Camp Clik members Tek & Steele of Smif-N-Wessun and Buckshot.
25. “If Your Girl Only Knew” (The New Remix) [featuring Missy Elliott]
A good argument for why it made perfect sense in the ’90s to buy both the album and single releases. This ‘Missy mix’ of Aaliyah’s chart-topping 1996 hit record absolutely slaps.
24. “At Your Best (You Are Love)” (Stepper’s Ball Remix) [feat. R. Kelly]
It’s a bit tough to get through the Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number era without mentioning R. Kelly, given all that’s come to light this year, but it just doesn’t make sense to ignore Aaliyah’s musical legacy from her beginning years in order to #MuteRKelly. Some songs, like this deep cut remix, prove that she’s so much greater than the producer behind and on the record.
23. “Man Undercover” – Timbaland and Magoo (feat. Aaliyah)
Silky and smooth vocals from the queen, paired with a few bars by Timbo to give the hard-hitting beat a proper rap component. This was always a sweet spot for the “Timbaliyah” duo.
22. “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number” (Linslee Remix) [featuring Cash Rex]
Here’s a G-funk remix by British producer Linslee Campbell that most fans have probably never even heard. Yeah, you’re welcome!
21. “Enough Said” (featuring Drake)
Yep, we took it there! As the sole posthumously-released collaboration on this list, we had to show “Enough Said” and Drizzy some love for keeping Baby Girl’s legacy alive over a decade after her death.
20. “John Blaze” (featuring Missy Elliott)
When Missy and Aaliyah jumped on a track together, it always resulted in a smooth banger. This cut off Timbaland’s 1998 album Tim’s Bio: Life from da Bassment proved to be no different.
19. “Girlfriends” – Yaushameen Michael (feat. Aaliyah)
This unreleased collab has reached almost mythical status. Even though most people have no idea who Yaushameen Michael is — she was a minor member of the Bassment Crew that even landed a feature on Tim’s Bio: Life from da Bassment (1998) — it didn’t stop Aaliyah from getting on a record with the unsung femcee. “Girlfriends” was originally recorded for Aaliyah’s 2001 self-titled album as a way for her to officially introduce the world to Yaushameen. Due to many circumstances, the ultimate one being Aaliyah’s passing, this collab never saw the light of day until it leaked back in 2006.
18. “Back and Forth” (featuring R. Kelly)
Nothing beats the first time! On her debut single, which topped the R&B chart and peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, Aaliyah proved from the beginning that she was a b-girl at heart.
17. “Are You Feelin’ Me” (featuring Timbaland)
One of the hardest tracks off the Romeo Must Die soundtrack, “Are You Feelin’ Me” is still a peak Aaliyah/Timbaland era beat. This one just further solidifies the void in pop music we’ve been feeling for the past 18 years that only these two could fill.
16. “I Need You Tonight” – Junior M.A.F.I.A. (featuring Aaliyah)
Young Liyah with a baby-faced Kim and the Junior M.A.F.I.A. crew, who were also more than likely teenagers at the time. Young Nation, indeed!
15. “Hot Like Fire” (Feel My Horns Mix) [featuring Timbaland & Missy Elliott]
Aaliyah, Missy and Timbaland. Need we say more? Definitely blast this one at high volume!
14. “Try Again” (Timbaland Remix) [featuring Sabastian And Sin]
Even though Aaliyah’s vocals are carried over from the original Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 song, and the bars by Sabastian And Sin are a bit forgettable, Timbaland’s added extensions to the beat toward the beginning and end make up for the lyrical shortcomings.
13. “Down With The Clique” (feat. Tia “Second Chapter” Hawkins)
While the circumstances behind Tia Hawkins’ story are heartbreaking in itself to say the least, reflecting back on the good times will always soften the blow of hard times and tribulations. Her work as a rapper on “Down With The Clique,” in addition to many other songs on the Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number album, make for worthy recognition in a positive light. Wherever you are, we’re praying for you Tia!
12. “Ladies In Da House” (featuring Missy Elliott & Timbaland)
One of the chillest deep cuts off Aaliyah’s classic 1996 album One In a Million. Definitely something that both the ladies and fellas in the house can always groove to.
11. “Queen Bitch” – Lil’ Kim (featuring Aaliyah & The Notorious B.I.G.)
Even though Aaliyah and Biggie make light contributions to this Hard Core standout, it’s still dope to think that Kim had two music icons on a radio remix for the streets. Respect to the Queen!
10. “A Girl Like You” (featuring Treach)
The back-and-forth flow between these two made for a super fun record overall. Also, the fact that fellow Naughty By Nature member Kay-Gee produced this One In a Million album cut is an added bonus.
9. “Live and Die for Hip Hop” – Kris Kross (featuring Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Mr. Black, and Aaliyah)
Aaliyah is so silky on this record, even though she’s simply cooing on the chorus. This record will always make us wonder how she would’ve fit into the So So Def family if things had played out differently.
8. “We Need a Resolution” (featuring Timbaland)
Looking back, this song was the literal example of the term “ahead of its time.” It barely made a blip on the Hot 100 back in 2001 — it peaked at no. 59 — but “We Need a Resolution” would’ve been a surefire hit had it been released in today’s more experimental musical climate.
7. “Got To Give It Up” (featuring Slick Rick)
What’s interesting about this collaboration is that Slick Rick recorded this while on work release from prison, in addition to Aaliyah being brave enough to cover a ’70s soul classic with satisfying results. Now that’s gangsta!
6. “Stickin’ Chickens” – Missy Elliott (featuring Aaliyah and Da Brat)
The ultimate female empowerment record, done effortlessly by three Hip-Hop queens of the ’90s. There’s nothing better than hearing the union between women who rock with each other both on and off wax.
5. “Up Jumps da Boogie” – Timbaland & Magoo (featuring Missy Elliott and Aaliyah)
What a tune! As posse records go, this was an apex moment for the Bassment Crew. Everyone played their part perfectly, and the music video is still a great look at one of the best musical families to ever do it.
While Buckshot & Boogie Brown’s original remix for Boot Camp Clik’s 1997 album For the People was fire in itself, 9th Wonder absolutely laced this version. Aaliyah of course is as smooth as ever, proving yet again that she can hold her own with the hardest MCs.
3. “You Won’t See Me Tonight”- Nas (featuring Aaliyah)
We still can’t believe this song didn’t get an official release with a proper music video! The God Nasir and the Queen Aaliyah make for a dream team on this I Am… standout cut, produced by none other than Timbo the King.
2. “Come Back In One Piece” (featuring DMX)
When considering joint albums by the likes of Jhené Aiko and Big Sean (Twenty88), or a more accurate comparison like The Carters themselvesJay-Z and Beyoncé, DMX and Aaliyah would’ve made a pretty solid collaborative LP had fate given us more time with Baby Girl. Given this classic cut off the soundtrack for Romeo Must Die, the 2000 film which stars both musicians, we can only assume that it would’ve been a definite hit.
1. “Are You That Somebody?” (Supafriendz Remix) [featuring Danja Mowf, Mad Skillz & Lonnie B.]
One of Aaliyah’s greatest rap moments ever was this massive remix to her even more massive 1998 hit record off the Dr. Doolittle soundtrack. The streets couldn’t get enough of this version, and Timbaland’s insanely iconic beat didn’t even need to be touched. Simply put, there will never be a singer that meshes so well with Hip-Hop quite like this dearly missed R&B queen.
Rest in peace forever, Aaliyah! Let us know how you’re remembering the dearly missed R&B icon today by letting us know over on our Facebook and Twitter!
If the debate for the King of R&B is up for grabs, followers of the late great James Brown can rest easy, as his position among the greatest to ever do it, is secure as a Master padlock. Known indelibly as the “Godfather of Soul Music,” Brown’s career covered successive generations that stretched from chitlin circuit pit-stops in the ’60s, through his own Funk era and ultimately, the birth of Hip-Hop. In the Netflix original documentary, Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of James Brown, the life and times of the oft referred “hardest working man in show business,” is examined fully. Questlove, Chuck D, Nelson George, Greg Tate, and others appear in the doc’.
It is common knowledge that Brown’s influence on Hip-Hop has been acknowledged and celebrated through countless samples – “Funky Drummer” being the most popular – but who knew Brown dipped into the sampling pool himself?
As it turns out, Brown’s saxophonist and bandleader, Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, was called into James’ dressing room one night after a thunderous performance in the summer of 1967. Never formally trained to read music, Brown explained to Ellis that he had something in his head he needed to be transformed into song.
“I started putting notations to his grunts,” Ellis remembers with a hearty laugh at the 57:00-mark of the film, “which came out to be the bass line of ‘Cold Sweat.’”
Ellis goes on to explain that he had been listening to Miles Davis’ “So What,” which “popped up” while he was developing the track that would eventually become “Cold Sweat.”
“So I took that [dee dumph] part and repeated it over and over,” Ellis explains. “Then we added a very important guitar part, contrasting all of that – which is funky all by itself.”
An unquestionable masterpiece, “Cold Sweat” has been cited, by some (including in George’s The Death Of Rhythm & Blues) as the first true Funk song for all its moving parts. Aside from Brown’s grunts that laid the groundwork for the beat, the finished track borrowed from his previously-released “I Don’t Care” in 1962. Moreover, it incorporated Brown’s signature screams and solos from Maceo Parker on sax, and Clyde Stubblefield on drums.
“I didn’t write it to be so monumental,” Ellis confesses, “but my Jazz influence was creeping into his R&B, so the combination of the two is where the Funk came from.”
During the late 70s, when Brown was said to be losing a step, his Funk music was hot as ever in the Hip-Hop community and among DJs. Albums like Get On The Good Foot and Sex Machine were in heavy rotation, while “Give It Up Or Turn It Loose” provided breaks that proved to be something of a goldmine. But it was the unlikely “Funky Drummer” that catapulted “Mr. Please Please” to un-chartered territory.
For the record, the actual Funky Drummer was not very fond of the tune. “I hate that song,” the late Clyde Stubblefield affirms in the doc. “We all was so tired and didn’t even want to record. So I started playing just the drum pattern. Brown liked it. We recorded it, and it came out ‘Funky Drummer.’”
#BonusBeat: The trailer for Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of JamesBrown:
If the debate for the King of R&B is up for grabs, followers of the late great James Brown can rest easy, as his position among the greatest to ever do it, is secure as a Master padlock. Known indelibly as the “Godfather of Soul Music,” Brown’s career covered successive generations that stretched from chitlin circuit pit-stops in the ’60s, through his own Funk era and ultimately, the birth of Hip-Hop. In the Netflix original documentary, Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of James Brown, the life and times of the oft referred “hardest working man in show business,” is examined fully. Questlove, Chuck D, Nelson George, Greg Tate, and others appear in the doc’.
It is common knowledge that Brown’s influence on Hip-Hop has been acknowledged and celebrated through countless samples – “Funky Drummer” being the most popular – but who knew Brown dipped into the sampling pool himself?
As it turns out, Brown’s saxophonist and bandleader, Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, was called into James’ dressing room one night after a thunderous performance in the summer of 1967. Never formally trained to read music, Brown explained to Ellis that he had something in his head he needed to be transformed into song.
“I started putting notations to his grunts,” Ellis remembers with a hearty laugh at the 57:00-mark of the film, “which came out to be the bass line of ‘Cold Sweat.’”
Ellis goes on to explain that he had been listening to Miles Davis’ “So What,” which “popped up” while he was developing the track that would eventually become “Cold Sweat.”
“So I took that [dee dumph] part and repeated it over and over,” Ellis explains. “Then we added a very important guitar part, contrasting all of that – which is funky all by itself.”
An unquestionable masterpiece, “Cold Sweat” has been cited, by some (including in George’s The Death Of Rhythm & Blues) as the first true Funk song for all its moving parts. Aside from Brown’s grunts that laid the groundwork for the beat, the finished track borrowed from his previously-released “I Don’t Care” in 1962. Moreover, it incorporated Brown’s signature screams and solos from Maceo Parker on sax, and Clyde Stubblefield on drums.
“I didn’t write it to be so monumental,” Ellis confesses, “but my Jazz influence was creeping into his R&B, so the combination of the two is where the Funk came from.”
During the late 70s, when Brown was said to be losing a step, his Funk music was hot as ever in the Hip-Hop community and among DJs. Albums like Get On The Good Foot and Sex Machine were in heavy rotation, while “Give It Up Or Turn It Loose” provided breaks that proved to be something of a goldmine. But it was the unlikely “Funky Drummer” that catapulted “Mr. Please Please” to un-chartered territory.
For the record, the actual Funky Drummer was not very fond of the tune. “I hate that song,” the late Clyde Stubblefield affirms in the doc. “We all was so tired and didn’t even want to record. So I started playing just the drum pattern. Brown liked it. We recorded it, and it came out ‘Funky Drummer.’”
#BonusBeat: The trailer for Mr. Dynamite: The Rise Of JamesBrown:
Honoring a tradition that is nearly 20 years old, Skillz sums up the year that was with a rap. Long before any ball drops commemorating the arrival of 2019, the Virginia veteran MC (and DJ) makes sense of a complicated year in Hip-Hop and the world at large.
Skillz stays in the pocket with, “Dubs beat the Cavs, J.R. was late / Then Pusha spilled all of the tea on Drake / All we heard was ‘you’re hiding a child’ / I’m like, ‘Bruh, the Rap game gettin’ wild’ / Eminem fired back at MGK / We got a surprise album from Bey’ and Jay / Lebron got gone, left for L.A. / And I still wanna know who bit Beyoncé.” He references Tiffany Haddish’s revelation and subsequent speculation that actresses including Lena Dunham, Sanaa Lathan, or Sara Foster bit Bey’ while at a party. Moments later, Skillz deduces “The whole year was ugly / Remember, ‘Kiki, do you love me?’”
While Skillz is known for humor, he also asks serious questions. “Demi OD’d, Mac Miller died / And there’s still kids out here trying to get high? / Yeah, we had issues, but most were torn / If it wasn’t mental health, it was prison reform / They gave Suge 28, that ain’t no joke / 50 was petty all year, he wanted all the smoke.” He also references the families separated at the border, Donald Trump’s litany of apparent mishaps, and the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
He gets in a few stingers too. “Just live ya’ best life, and smile for the camera / Unless you’re Juelz Santana“ and “Draymond and KD was war and peace / And then came ‘who’s the King of R&B?’ / Jacquees, stop runnin’ ya mouth / Your R&B stands for ‘run your ass back in the house’ / I’ma say it, y’all might feel a way / But the King of R&B? That’s Beyoncé.”
Happy 2019 to you and yours from the Ambrosia For Heads staff.
#BonusBeat: This year Skillz, who put the “Mad” back in his name, released I’m The DJ… And The Rapper. The multi-threat referenced the 30-year-old title and artwork by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
Honoring a tradition that is nearly 20 years old, Skillz sums up the year that was with a rap. Long before any ball drops commemorating the arrival of 2019, the Virginia veteran MC (and DJ) makes sense of a complicated year in Hip-Hop and the world at large.
Skillz stays in the pocket with, “Dubs beat the Cavs, J.R. was late / Then Pusha spilled all of the tea on Drake / All we heard was ‘you’re hiding a child’ / I’m like, ‘Bruh, the Rap game gettin’ wild’ / Eminem fired back at MGK / We got a surprise album from Bey’ and Jay / Lebron got gone, left for L.A. / And I still wanna know who bit Beyoncé.” He references Tiffany Haddish’s revelation and subsequent speculation that actresses including Lena Dunham, Sanaa Lathan, or Sara Foster bit Bey’ while at a party. Moments later, Skillz deduces “The whole year was ugly / Remember, ‘Kiki, do you love me?’”
While Skillz is known for humor, he also asks serious questions. “Demi OD’d, Mac Miller died / And there’s still kids out here trying to get high? / Yeah, we had issues, but most were torn / If it wasn’t mental health, it was prison reform / They gave Suge 28, that ain’t no joke / 50 was petty all year, he wanted all the smoke.” He also references the families separated at the border, Donald Trump’s litany of apparent mishaps, and the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
He gets in a few stingers too. “Just live ya’ best life, and smile for the camera / Unless you’re Juelz Santana“ and “Draymond and KD was war and peace / And then came ‘who’s the King of R&B?’ / Jacquees, stop runnin’ ya mouth / Your R&B stands for ‘run your ass back in the house’ / I’ma say it, y’all might feel a way / But the King of R&B? That’s Beyoncé.”
Happy 2019 to you and yours from the Ambrosia For Heads staff.
#BonusBeat: This year Skillz, who put the “Mad” back in his name, released I’m The DJ… And The Rapper. The multi-threat referenced the 30-year-old title and artwork by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
@officialdadance #dancewithdebbieallen
rehearsals
