Don't You Wish Our Beloved Motown Stars Had This Kind of Grace, Class & Elegance?

[PeaceNHarmony]

Musical performance or toilet paper ad? 19724

[thanxal]

I think you misspelled "class". Two too many letters.

[ralpht]

I guess Motown acts didn't learn this at Charm School. Berry knew where he wanted his company to go.

[snakepit]

Cue Woke screams of Women treated as sex objects

[lakeside]

Maybe Maxine Powel had this one hid up her sleeve?

[daviddesper]

Just like I have been saying for years.........in today's world, it is all about image, wardrobe [[or in this case lack of one) and outrageous behavior. To sell records, the question of whether you have any actual talent is VERY far down the list.

[PeaceNHarmony]

The sad thing to me is that some of these performers perhaps do have talent but need to/want to debase themselves with the full-on b-door squat. I don't know what creeps me out more, the performer's actions or the audiences screaming approval. Now I have no interest in Taylor Swift but she sells mega-cray-mad volumes of music while remaining dressed. But, perhaps as David says, it's because Swift actually has talent.

[jobucats]

Just like I have been saying for years.........in today's world, it is all about image, wardrobe [[or in this case lack of one) and outrageous behavior. To sell records, the question of whether you have any actual talent is VERY far down the list. And one must get himself/herself arrested in order to get 'street cred' resulting in record sales and concert revenue.

[Boogiedown]

Where’s my air freshener….
pure​ stank!!

[MichaelSherry59]

Just like I have been saying for years.........in today's world, it is all about image, wardrobe [[or in this case lack of one) and outrageous behavior. To sell records, the question of whether you have any actual talent is VERY far down the list.


To be honest, you can trace that back to the MTV years when many people were complaining due to the same reasons.

[ralpht]

Yeah, it probably was during the MTV years that things began to raunchy out. I believe it was at this time Michael Jackson was making crotch grabbing main stream. I thought it was disgusting then and I still do when I see some contemporary "artist" making the grab. It made me ponder something: What if Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers did that during their classic dance scenes? It actually makes me laugh thinking about that image. Fortunately mores of the day and real class kept that under wraps.

[lockhartgary]

After reading this thread I was reminded of a conversation I had with my older brother [[9 years older]] a good while ago. We talked about how Aretha and Dionne and others back in the day exuded class not just in the way they dressed but also in the way they presented themselves on stage. They could just stand there and wow you with their talent and didn't have to resort to being in a near state of undress.

[Thornton]

All I see here is a Black woman standing in her power. Megan the Stallion has been rapping since she was a teenager and became a rap superstar due to her own grit and determination.

She also holds a Bachelor of Science in health administration from Texas Southern University, which she earned AFTER becoming an international superstar. She's also a prolific philanthropist.

Take some time to learn about the artists of today before assuming they're just hacks with sex appeal.

Megan the Stallion on her image: "It's not just about being sexy, it's about being confident and me being confident in my sexuality." [Pitchfork]

[sansradio]

all i see here is a black woman standing in her power. Megan the stallion has been rapping since she was a teenager and became a rap superstar due to her own grit and determination.

She also holds a bachelor of science in health administration from texas southern university, which she earned after becoming an international superstar. She's also a prolific philanthropist.

Take some time to learn about the artists of today before assuming they're just hacks with sex appeal.

Megan the stallion on her image: "it's not just about being sexy, it's about being confident and me being confident in my sexuality." [[pitchfork)

This. Thank you.

[Boogiedown]

And John Wayne Gacy performed clown routines at charitable events and for children in hospitals . Take some time to know these people before you just dismiss them as scuzzy mass murderers.

hee haw:p

[ralpht]

Thornton, you make a valid point. I'm sure Megan had a few trials along the way. The music business is no walk in the park, no matter who you are. But consider there were some challenges that may have been smoothed out a tad by her former sister entertainers. Those early Doo Wop girl groups were not treated particularly well. Many got nowhere unless they graced a producer's casting couch. I'm sure some of the hanky panky still occurs but these days, fortunately for the most part, not like the 50s and 60s, the talent does the talking. If for no other reason than it makes good business sense. Contract flim flams which were so prevalent back then are more scarce simply because of the business factor that exists these days. Everybody lawyers-up and contracts get signed.

So, my point being, these young women [[and men, for that matter) today, such as Megan the Stallion do get benefits their predecessors weren't afforded.

[Thornton]

So, my point being, these young women [[and men, for that matter) today, such as Megan the Stallion do get benefits their predecessors weren't afforded.

Agreed. Generations of Black performers did help pave the way for Megan's success. I think there are many rich conversations to be had on the topic.

[PeaceNHarmony]

I recall a year or two ago being in a public place [[Target, I think) and seeing a girl of perhaps 5-6 years old thrusting her hips, pointing at her crotch and rapping something like 'you can get it like that or you can get to this' [[excuse the quote if it's incorrect). I was utterly stunned. I assume it was learned from a video or other tv performance and have to say I did not find it appropriate behavior for a child. This is my 'issue' with popular music having turned into a venue for soft-core porn. Many here will certainly not want to hear that, but it is my concern.

[ralpht]

Yes, P&H..Its like we're grooming an entire generation to believe it is all entertainment.

[Roger Polhill]

And you couldn`t hear the applause for the fly buttons hitting the ceiling!

[jobeterob]

Berry and the rest did this and more privately, right?

[PeaceNHarmony]

Berry and the rest did this and more privately, right?Privately, why not? On a more serious note ... I'm sure glad there was no wardrobe malfunction.

[Circa 1824]

“class” with a capital K.

[Roger Polhill]

Modern music is shit and this looks to prove that.

[jobeterob]

Modern music is shit and this looks to prove that.

Agree/like

[PeaceNHarmony]

Modern music is shit and this looks to prove that.Well, that's a mic drop!

[motony]

so true, just unlistenable. I was in a restaurant the other day playing this new "music" & it was just like what the hell, no structure, no melody at all that made sense & the person moaning[[suppose to be singing) and it just like WTF, no wonder children today are screwed up. Sorry.

[BritishTony]

Well, I can accept that musical tastes differ. I love the Tempts’ 60 album but don’t feel the opening rap does it any favours. But, hey, different strokes. However, for me this image is gross, trashy, crude. PeaceNHarmony and Ralph are right: what standards does this set for our current generation? It feels like a race to the bottom of the swamp.

[PeaceNHarmony]

Well, I can accept that musical tastes differ. I love the Tempts’ 60 album but don’t feel the opening rap does it any favours. But, hey, different strokes. However, for me this image is gross, trashy, crude. PeaceNHarmony and Ralph are right: what standards does this set for our current generation? It feels like a race to the bottom of the swamp.I can concur with how you have framed your response, BT. My one and only 'issue' with this sort of pubic xxx I mean public display is that it is indeed 'gross, trashy, crude'. Many performers, authors, etc have owned and expressed their sexuality for 100 years, going back to Ma Rainey etc. without the squat-n-spread'em display seen above. Some say it's 'empowering': I would ask, what 'power' has been gained? Will Megan be able to take this 'power' to Congress and get baby formula to needy communities? Will she use this 'power' to make sure that finally school children in Flint MI will have safe water? Is it anything near to the real and positive power of Stacey Abrams or Ketanji Brown Jackson? Megan may have all the talent in the world; her success should be based on that, not on emulating a billion self-declared porn performers. To the 'empowerment' side of the fence I ask: at what point would she lose you? If your 8 year old niece decides to emulate the move this summer at a public swimming pool or park, would you declare the child 'empowered'?

[Boogiedown]

In her need to publicly explore her sexuality, if her next round of shows advances to including ping pong balls, I might buy a ticket.

[ralpht]

Haaa....Boog...everyone has a breaking point.

[arr&bee]

Haaaaaaa, why back in my day, if a lady showed her ankles guys would get excited...times are a changin!!!!

[lakeside]

In her need to publicly explore her sexuality, if her next round of shows advances to including ping pong balls, I might buy a ticket.

Duck!!!!!!!!

[Boogiedown]

Duck!!!!!!!!

I get the feeling she could put your eye out!!:D:D

[nativeNY63]

Just like I have been saying for years.........in today's world, it is all about image, wardrobe [[or in this case lack of one) and outrageous behavior. To sell records, the question of whether you have any actual talent is VERY far down the list.

David, I have been stating some have the gall/audacity/nerve/stones to call this "music" R & B/Soul. No. Just No.

[MichaelSherry59]

Rhythm and blues/Soul died after the 70s, let's be real here.

[motony]

Rhythm and blues/Soul died after the 70s, let's be real here. I have to agree with that statement.