Edited by Azizi Powell
This post documents some comments from Polynesians about Disney's depiction of their demigod "Maui" in the 2016 Disney animated movie "Moana". The movie "Moana" is scheduled for release November 2016. However, on June 27, 2016 Disney posted a teaser trailer of that movie on YouTube. That trailer largely featured the character "Maui" and not the teenage girl "Moana" for whom the movie is named.
Note that this post only tangentially meets this pancocojams' blog's criteria of focusing on examples of Black culture- tangentially because Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the actor who voiced the character Maui in that Disney movie is of Black (Nova Scotia, Canada) and Samoan ancestry. That said, I'm interested in the subject of how People of Color are depicted in movies, and that subject definitely fits into the perimeters of this blog.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and sociological reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of the videos which are featured in this post.
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BACKGROUND - ARTICLES ABOUT SOME POLYNESIANS' REACTIONS TO DISNEY'S DEPICTION OF "MAUI"
[These article excerpts are given in no particular order.)
Excerpt #1
From https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/anger-over-maui-god-portayed-as-half-hippo-half-091735886.html "Anger Over Maui God Portrayed As 'Half Hippo, Half Pig' In Moana", Ben Arnold, 27 June 2016
"Maui was the powerful Polynesian demi-god who used the jaw-bone of his ancestor to fish very [sic*] islands from the depths of the ocean.
But there’s growing disquiet over his portrayal in new Disney movie, ‘Moana’.
The character, being voiced by Dwanye 'The Rock’ Johnson, himself of Polynesian lineage, was revealed last week in the first proper glimpse of the forthcoming animation (itself criticised because Disney decided to unveil the male character before the female of the title).
And now Jenny Salesa, an MP for the Labour Party in New Zealand, and of Tongan heritage, has posted a withering take-down of the Disney character’s portly physique."...
-snip-
* sic= indicates a typo or some other mistake
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Excerpt #2
From https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/27/disney-depiction-of-obese-polynesian-god-in-film-moana-sparks-anger "Disney depiction of obese Polynesian god in film Moana sparks anger
Portrayal of the god Maui has prompted debate over unhealthy stereotypes of Polynesian men on screen",
Eleanor Ainge Roy, 27 June 2016
"The depiction of a Polynesian character in a Disney film has prompted anger across the Pacific islands, with one New Zealand MP saying the portrayal of the god Maui as obese was “not acceptable”.
Jenny Salesa, who is of Tongan heritage, shared a picture on her Facebook account which said Disney’s rendering of Maui in the film Moana resembled a creature that was “half pig, half hippo”...
According to 2014 data from the World Health Organisation nine of the ten most obese nations in the world are Pacific Islands.
Samoan professional rugby player Eliota Fuimanono Sapolu also expressed his disgust at Disney’s portrayal of Maui, writing on Facebook that “Maui looking like after he fished up the Islands, he deep fried em and and ate em”.
In Polynesian mythology Maui is a heroic figure who created the Pacific Islands by fishing them out of the sea.
Will Ilolahia, from the Pacific Island Media Association, told Waatea News that Disney’s version of Maui did not fit with his heroic endeavours in Pacific creation myths.
“He is depicted in the stories that’s been handed down, especially in my culture, as a person of strength, a person of magnitude and a person of a godly nature,” Illolalia said.
“This depiction of Maui being obese is typical American stereotyping. Obesity is a new phenomena because of the first world food that’s been stuffed down our throat.”
However, many people have commented on social media that Disney’s Maui looks strong and powerful, and that his physique is not unusual among Polynesian men.”...
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Excerpt #3
From https://www.yahoo.com/style/critics-are-calling-out-disney-1460766368210998.html
"Critics Are Calling Out Disney for Fat-Shaming Polynesians With ‘Moana’ Character", Jenna Birch June 28, 2016
"Disney has come under fire for its depiction of a Polynesian character in the upcoming movie Moana. (Photo: Walt Disney Animation Studio)
When Moana is released on November 23, 2016, the title character will be the first Disney princess of Polynesian descent. However, the look of the heroine’s sidekick, the demigod Maui, is creating a firestorm of criticism months before the film’s release.
According to New Zealand politician Jenny Salesa, the body shape of Maui is cause for concern. “When we look at photos of Polynesian men and women from the last 100-200 years, most of our people were not overweight and this negative stereotype of Maui is just not acceptable,” she writes on Facebook. “No thanks to Disney.”
Salesa calls Maui’s depiction “obese,” and thinks children might get the wrong message about their bodies. “The environment our kids grow up in and what they are exposed to have a role to play. Disney movies are very influential on our children. It is great that Moana is the lead. However, it is disappointing that Maui, one of our beloved historical ancestors from hundreds of years ago, who was a very strong man [and] a skilled navigator, is depicted to be so overweight in this kids’ movie.”
Facebook user Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu posted this photo, comparing the body shape of the demigod Maui in the upcoming movie Moana to those of real-life Polynesian actors....
Polynesian writer Leah Damm thought about Maui’s onscreen persona for days and does understand where Salesa is coming from. The legendary demigod did not technically look like he does in the Disney film, and the filmmakers chose to deviate from his traditional stature. “Today, the negative stereotype of Polynesian people is that our size relates to our poor life choices,” she wrote for The Spinoff. “The ‘poor life choices’ argument is the crux of the racist justification of coloured people’s overrepresentation in negative social statistics, and the scapegoat for the taxpayer who doesn’t want their hard-earned dollars spent on poor decision making.”
At the end of the day, though, Damm does not see Maui’s depiction as negative. She’s not so sure that men like Dwayne Johnson and Jason Mamoa represent the typical Polynesian male, or perhaps reinforce a better model for the young men of her culture to aspire. “There’s a very clear difference between saying Maui wouldn’t have looked like that and Maui shouldn’t look like that [which sends the message that] big Polynesians are a disgrace to our ancestors and have no place being seen by young audiences,” Damm explained.
She thinks that in some ways parents should be happy to see a new body type onscreen for their children. “Personally, I don’t look at the animated Maui and think ‘unhealthy,’” Damm wrote. “I get more of a ‘strong, bodyguard-type’ vibe … a number of people have noted that Maui looks like their Dads and Uncles. Imagine what this might mean to Polynesian kids, to have a brief escape from their Dads’ likeness being limited to anti-smoking campaigns, and finally seeing an iteration of large, strong Polynesian men on the big screen, navigating oceans and bringing joy to young audiences.”
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FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1: Moana Official US Teaser Trailer
Walt Disney Animation Studios, Published on Jun 12, 2016
Watch the brand new teaser trailer for Disney’s Moana! See the film, starring Dwayne Johnson & Auli’i Cravalho, in theatres this Thanksgiving!
-snip-
For comparison purposes, click https://www.google.com/search?q=drawings+of+maui+demi+god&espv=2&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiT45PA-M7NAhWHxYMKHRlEDzEQsAQIHQ&biw=853&bih=599 for other examples of how the demigod Maui has traditionally been drawn.
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Example #2: MAUI ISN'T FAT! - Isoa says...
iSoa23 Published on Jun 24, 2016
I hope I don't get sued for this. Lol. Trying to justify Maui's look from the upcoming "Moana" film coming out later on this year :)
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. Mario Teulilo, June 27, 2016
"You should read Lippi Greens write up of Disney portrayals for people of color. I think it will enlighten you to see this is not the first time Disney has conjured misconceptions of colored people. The issue is not how Maui looks it's how we as Pacific Islanders are represented to non Pacific Islanders and making those impressions last in the minds of a new generation. It's bad enough no one is addressing our islands battle with climate change affects and now to save our dignity from these kinds of films 😑 As my Gma says it, "OUA SIO LALO KI TONGA" therefore if you are going to rep Pasefika (including our Demigods) KEEP IT 100%!!"
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Reply
2. Tana Umaga, June 27, 2016
"I've read it and can see good points but don't see how her article applies here. As the guy in the video explains, Maui is NOT obese. I can't believe people actually thought he was fat at all. Disney have portrayed fat characters in their movies before and it was different to how Maui is portrayed here. Even in early sketches of Maui, his body is described as "thick" i.e. a 'strongman' body type. Makes sense, since Maui has been described as supernaturally strong in Pacific mythology.
Actually, it is. Salesa and Sapolu specifically spoke of Maui's looks in the film. I didn't hear anything about representation from them. Anyway, I don't remember the Greeks getting all up in arms about that Hercules movie Disney put out years ago.
What does climate change have to do with a children's movie?"
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Reply
3. Mario Teulilo, June 28, 2016
"I do agree that he get one "strong" figure. however, the figure of "strong" that i am used too are not feet ballooned to inadequate proportions. Climate change I bring in because the islands are the true source of knowledge about our people. Once they are lost to the ocean, gone too are the primary source of our people. Looking on to 100 years in the future, with children not speaking our traditional languages nor practicing our native customs, along with the lack of proper cultural preservation that needs to take place now to ensure our cultural identity survives, we have a generation that will look back to these mediums and believe this is how our people really are; this is what the masters of mass oceanic navigation hail from. All I'm saying is do not minimize the legends but glorify them to their proper value. Doing so in all aspects that not a single detail is lost.
If our ancestors spent thousands of years weaving these legends through oral traditions to mastery ensuring that they are passed on properly from generation to generation, who is disney to exploit the face and body of Maui?
don't know where you are from but here in the states our culture is not strong, it is being modified like this film uses a modification of Maui.
You have misunderstood everything I have been talking about so I will give you this illustration in hopes you get what I'm saying because I have seen this happen several times...
A non Pacific island child who has never heard nor met a PI person ever in their life goes to see this film. They have now an impression of what ideal Pacific Islanders look like... namely Maui who is the ultimate hero of our people. Many years later this kid finally meets a Pacific Islander and walks up and says "You must be Pacific Islander because you're big!" -yes they will say big, NOT STRONG, because that is the IMPRESSION they have of our people. We see it as STRONG but others no doubt will see it as BIG...
And climate change fyi - the island my great grandma was born on in Kiribati is uninhabitable Thank you very much. People from there have been evacuated to Tarawa and now await evacuation from there. When I have children I will never be able to take my children there to show them where their fathers mothers mothers mothers mothers were born. We never got to practice Kiribati culture as we were strong to our Tongan American upbringing and so where do I get to point them to begin learning about where they are from?
These type of films are what set the stage for all children (mine included) to begin forming their ideas about world views. I speak from experience because English is my second language and i learned it through Disney films and sesame street "
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Reply
4.Tana Umaga, June 28, 2016
"+Mario Teulilo I'm from NZ and our cultures are VERY strong here. In the islands they are even stronger.
So? Islanders ARE very big on average. Here in Auckland, NZ we have more Pacific Islanders than any other city in the world. I've grown up in an area heavily populated by islanders and have lots of islander friends and family. Not necessarily fat but big like Maui as presented in this film.As I said before, he has a strongman physique, which is NOT fat. I don't know how many times I must say this.
Again, what does climate change have to do with this movie?"
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Reply
5. Mario Teulilo, June 29, 2016
"It is a shame that in America where I am from and where Disney makes the films the same views are not shared. Here in America Pacific Islanders are not known to many at all. Thank you for validating that our walks and battles of injustices are TOTALLY different. Therefore me explaining anything to you would make no sense because you do not participate in our struggle of equality because you are from a majority where you are from.
If you are unable to connect climate change to this film even after I have explained it then that is for you to go figure out its connection. "
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Reply
6. Tana Umaga, June 29, 2016
"+Mario Teulilo Back up, islanders and native Maori are still minorities here in Auckland and NZ as a whole. I don't know where you got the idea that we constitute the majority.
You never explained any connection at all. That's my point."
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Reply
7. Mario Teulilo, June 29, 2016
"LOL you just said you come from a place "with the larger Pacific Island population in the world" and where the practice of "Pacific culture is strong" .... I come from a place where Pacific Islanders are literally invisible and the practice of our Pacific Culture is NOT strong.... Those are 2 very different experiences. So to me In your local community you make up the vast majority, where I am from we make up 1% statewide and local community wise .3% (that is > than 1%)
climate change: for people over here who do not have the luxury to immerse their children in the culture this film is what will aid in that. Because of affects of climate change, like in Kiribati where my mothers family is from this film could be used by my children as a point of reference to begin their world views of the Pacific having never been nor will they ever see Kiribati except through books and films.
Do you work with children or youth Tana Umaga? I do. Children mimic and emulate what they see and those lasting first impressions are what they carry well into adulthood.
I will agree to disagree with you since none of what I wrote makes sense to you. Come visit America sometime I hope you will see what I am talking about."
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OTHER ONLINE COMMENTS ABOUT DISNEY'S DEPICTION OF "MAUI"
Editor: These selected comments from online articles and YouTube discussion threads are from persons who identified themselves in their comment as being Polynesian, or a Pacific Islander, or an indigenous Pacific Islander. I also included a comment from a blogger who wrote "our culture" when referring to Polynesian culture and a comment from a person who wrote that he or she is "from New Zealand and born in Samoa".
These comment sources are quoted in no particular order. Comments from the same source are grouped together with the oldest comment from that source group given first. These are the total number of comments from those particular sources that I read to date which were posted by people identifying themselves as Polynesian.
I've assigned numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order.
From https://www.yahoo.com/style/critics-are-calling-out-disney-1460766368210998.html
[posted June 29, 2016]
1. Jerry
"I just want to clarify this for everyone who is not Polynesian/Hawaiian. Maui is drawn as a "fit" person in Hawaii. Not necessarily a chiseled body, but just a hard working fisherman's athletic type of body. This is a common depiction of him and is well known. The story is that Maui was the one who "fished" the Hawaiian islands out of the sea with his fishhook. This is why you will see local Hawaiians and some tourists who may or may not know the story, wearing these type of fishhooks around their necks. So the complaint by the original person in the article was originated because it is such an obvious incorrect drawing of a well known person in that culture.
Think about if Elvis Pressly or Hank Aaron (just picking some random well known people from two separate races) were drawn in this same manner. They are well known, but they do not look that way so everyone would make a big deal about that. Now add to that the fact that there is a stereotype about Polynesians being overweight and it gets even more offensive. It easy to criticize the argument by downplaying it as being an overreaction to the character's weight, but it is more than that when you are an actual Polynesian who may have experienced this type of negative stereotype.
BTW, it's a "negative" stereotype because it has become a generally believed assumption by other races as being true of the majority of Polynesians. It's true that if the person was drawn to look chiseled that it would also be a stereotype, but just be honest with yourselves, that would not be viewed as negative by anyone. However, it would still also be a stereotype if the majority of other races assumed it was true of all Polynesians."
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2. Jeannie Fanene
"I am of Polynesian decent 100% samoan and we are proud people. At this moment I think Maui is a cute character. We Polynesians come in all different sizes and we are proud people filled with pride that's what makes Polynesians beautiful Disney is big and just to have a Polynesian character that reflects on us is something that we should be proud of. We all have a family member or two that have features that Maui does but that does not make them ugly as a matter of fact there are women from Polynesia that look like Maui (no offense) but only we the people stereotype ourselves. A lot of American friends that I have love our culture our people for what we stand for and I think its Pride and culture not the way we look. I know bodybuilders that diet hard to have the solid size that we Polynesians have and I know many whom are not the Rocks size are well loved for standing out looking like Maui but with the biggest heart!"
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3. Nafa
"*eye rolling*
"As a former FAT Samoan child I call complete horse pucky on this. Maui's alright. There's finally a Disney character that looks like me, my uncles (a few aunties), and people I grew up with. Guess what, saying we all should be staring at The Rock, Jason Momoa, or Roman Reigns* does more to fat-shame a culture than having a chubby but mighty character like Maui. Everyone just chill out, take off your 'I'M OFFENDED OVER NOTHING' hats, and let's enjoy a (hopefully) fun film."
-snip-
*Side by side photographs of "The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Jason Momoa, and Roman Reigns" are featured in a poster that is circulating the Internet which describes them as "three hot Hollywood stars. That poster then shows a photograph of Disney's Maui and describes him as "half pig half hippo".
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4. bini
"As Polynesian we are naturally big bone so I dont see whats the big deal, Maui is 90% very accurate because that is how all the Poly men are built, I'm just glad theres a Poly animation props to Disney and relax people kids are most influenced with in their own family so there fore support it enjoy it and there is bigger problem in the world just saying One love Jah Bless"
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[posted June 30, 2016]
5. Sheree
"As a Pacific Islander, I am glad we finally have a Disney movie portraying our culture and sharing us with the world.
What everyone commenting, who is not an indigenious Islander, is not understanding is that...."Maui, one of our beloved historical ancestors from hundreds of years ago, who was a very strong man [and] a skilled navigator." Therefore he is not being portrayed correctly. Our people were not built 100's of years ago as we are today. Before we were mixed with other races, before many of the foods and cooking styles were introduced to our culture such as rice and spam, before diseases were brought to our islands, we were lean, muscular, and very tall people. Yes, if he is a modern day Islander then his portrayal is more in tune with what you are seeing of us today.
All we ask is that if you're going to portray our ancestors you do so accurately and with respect. Then you can truly learn about where we came from and who we were as a people from a fun, loving Disney cartoon character."
**
6. Mel
"Really?, Polynesians cannot feel discriminated by this at all when this looks like an uncle we all have. This is one of the first Disney movies depicting Polynesians, lets just let it go and appreciate the fact their even showcasing Polynesia at all. Even Moana doesn't look stick skinny like the other princesses, lets just keep it real. Our stature is big and so are our hearts. Disney got it right."
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From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIib4sjG83w
"Moana's Maui too fat?! Ansel Elgort for Dungeons & Dragons Movie - Beyond The Trailer"
Movie Math, Published on Jun 28, 2016
[comments posted on June 29, 2016]
7. Jayde Kinkaid
"There are people in our culture of this size definitely, but Maui originally depicted in the legends is actually slimmer. Although I think Disney was trying to make sure he wasn't too similar to Hercules :)"
-snip-
Note that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the voice for Maui, acted the part of the demigod Hercules in the 2014 American movie with that name which was distributed by Paramount Pictures
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(2014_film) for information about that movie and a photo of Johnson as Hercules.
Also, click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(1998_TV_series) for information about "Disney's Hercules: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on the 1997 film of the same name and the Greek myth." Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wasn't associated with that Disney film or television series.
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8. Kimber Benton
"The problem is not that he's "too fat" - the problem is that he's not how Maui is traditionally portrayed in Polynesian culture. We in Polynesia are brought up with Maui and are taught about him and shown picture books detailing how demi-god Maui performed heroic acts. He's described as young and fit. So when you see your god depicted as a larger size and comical, of course parole* are going to get upset. Put it this way, if you were a Christian and say Jesus was depicted as perhaps overweight and perhaps being made fun of in screen, you'd bound to have people get angry and upset. So that's how some of us in Polynesia feel about Disney's depiction of Maui."
-snip-
*The word “parole” is probably a typo for “people”
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9. VIKIPEDIA
"From New Zealand, born in Samoa and I really think this is tabloid as everyone here is just ecstatic for Moana. Love you grace Love Your Videos"
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Spoken Word Performance - "Black Girl Blues" by MasterPiece Poet (video with partial lyrics)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a video of the spoken word "Black Girl Blues" by MasterPiece Poet.
Partial lyrics of this spoken word poem are included in this post along with editorial notes about some of the references in that poem. This post also includes brief information about MasterPiece Poet, as well as selected comments from this video's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to MasterPiece Poet for her powerful spoken word "Black Girl Blues". Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to All Def Poetry, the publisher of this post on YouTube.
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INFORMATION ABOUT MASTERPIECE POET
From https://www.reverbnation.com/masterpiece83
"Artist Bio
MasterPiece the poetess was born in Dallas, Tx. She also lived in Arizona for seven years while studying Theatre Arts and Business Administration at the University of Arizona. She began performing and acting at the age of 6 and also discovered a love for poetry at 13. Her passion for poetry and performing arts has inspired many people. The debut album Mind of MasterPiece introduces a new genre of music coined by MasterPiece herself: rhythm and poetry. The cd chronicles her story through powerful words, emotions, rhyme, thought provoking lyrics and smooth rhythmic music that has a hint of hip hop, soul, and jazz all mixed into one. Fans recognize her as a dynamic writer with poise, talent, and beauty. She continues to maintain a balance between the arts and business by being an extraordinary poet/performer and business woman. Her hobbies include basketball, dancing, cooking, designing webpages, traveling, and watching movies. Her poet name MasterPiece stems from the idea that all artists strive to achieve and put forth their best work possible. It is a metaphor for a successful artist."...
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Masterpiece Poet - "Black Girl Blues" | All Def Poetry x Da Poetry Lounge
All Def Poetry Published on Aug 19, 2015
Subscribe for more poetry! http://bit.ly/alldefpoetry
....All Def Poetry is a new channel brought to you by Russell Simmons - a world-renowned champion of the spoken word art form. Fresh, riveting, and featuring some of the best voices in the genre, All Def Poetry brings you the raw power of spoken word! #AllDefPoetry
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SELECTED LYRICS FROM THIS SPOKEN WORD
[1:22- 1:39 of this video]
Black girl, free yourself.
And when you fly
Tell ’em Fannie Lou Hamer sent you.
Tell ‘em, you are your own queen.
Tell ‘em your brown suga maple syrup can't be bought off shelves.
Tell ’em dark don’t mean dirty,
Nappy don’t mean nasty.
Loud don’t mean ratchet.
Bold don’t mean problematic.
[2:07-2:39 of this video]
We have a purpose here.
You can’t take that away.
You can’t Emmett Till our sons no more.
You can’t 16 Street Baptist Church burn our bodies no more.
You can’t walk up in the church and shoot us in prayer no more.
You can’t kill us in the jail cell and call it suicide no more.
This ain’t open season.
Black girl, you are brick.
You are mortar.
You are designed.
You are ceiling.
More than just measurement.
Raise your head.
This Black girl ain’t got no Blues tonight.
You be you.
In your Blues you beautiful as you wanna be.
Dark eyes, thick thighs, we don’t need to apologize.
-snip-
These words flow together in rhythmic form. I added the spacing for reading clarity only.
I'm sorry for any mistakes in this partial transcription. Any corrections are welcome.
Here's information regarding some of the historical references in this excerpt of "MasterPiece Poet's "Black Girl Blues" spoken word:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fannie_Lou_Hamer
"Fannie Lou Hamer ... October 6, 1917 – March 14, 1977) was an American voting rights activist, civil rights leader, and philanthropist. She was instrumental in organizing Mississippi's Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and later became the vice-chair of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which she represented at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey."...
-snip-
Regarding why she was a civil rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer said “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired”.
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From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Street_Baptist_Church
"The 16th Street Baptist Church is a Baptist church in Birmingham, Alabama, that is frequented predominantly by African Americans. In September 1963, it was the target of the racially motivated 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four girls in the midst of the American Civil Rights Movement. The church is still in operation and is a central landmark in the Birmingham Civil Rights District. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2006."...
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From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Till
"Emmett Louis Till (July 25, 1941 – August 28, 1955) was an African-American teenager who was lynched in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly flirting with a white woman...
Till's body was returned to Chicago. His mother, who had mostly raised him, insisted on a public funeral service with an open casket to show the world the brutality of the killing. "The open-coffin funeral held by Mamie Till Bradley exposed the world to more than her son Emmett Till's bloated, mutilated body. Her decision focused attention not only on American racism and the barbarism of lynching but also on the limitations and vulnerabilities of American democracy.
...Till's murder is noted as a pivotal catalyst to the next phase of the Civil Rights Movement."...
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS SHOWCASE VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
These comments are given in chronological order based on their publishing date-except for replies- with the oldest comment given first. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only.
2015
1. Kendrick-Kamau “StreetPolitik” El-Negasi
"This is one of the dopest poems I've heard in a long. She had the wordplay and righteous aggression spelled out for you, undeniably witty but easy to digest with urgency like milk to a babe."
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"dopest" = African American Vernacular English term meaning "the very best"
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2. MasterPiece [2016]
"+Kendrick-Kamau “StreetPolitik” El-Negasi Thank you so much!!!"
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Reply
3. Kendrick-Kamau “StreetPolitik” El-Negasi1 month ago
"+MasterPiece no problem, thank you for creating & sharing."
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4. lobster0right
"said the woman wearing a weave"
-snip-
"weave" (hair weave) = real or fake hair that is woven or glued to person's real hair to add length and/or fullness. (also called "extensions")
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Reply
5. Jamesha Michelle
"Excuse you, but a hairstyle defines nothing."
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Reply
6. Kai Jolly
"What the [profanity deleted] does that have to do with anything?"
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Reply
7. inspirebabe_
"+lobster0right She can do what she want with her hair!"
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8. Monkey Teeth
"+Jamesha Michelle you can't have it both ways! You can't recite verses about the veneration of black women and the uniqueness of the black women while simotaneously wearing the hair texture of a white women...some serious self worth issues going on here"
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Reply
9. Nae2588
"+Monkey Teeth my niece is dark as night, but she was born with straight black hair, she's 8 now, and my friend her hair is still straight, never been touched by a perm, nor a flat iron or a pressing comb. her mom mainly did her hair, and her mom got thrown in prison on drug charges, so if it was nappy someone needed to do it, because white European hair as u claim, we all know can fix itself, just as soon as they get out of bed."
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10. wild heart
"+Monkey Teeth What do you mean? She is clearly a black woman who loves herself unapologetically. Plus Black women get judged for whatever they do with her hair. Black women should be able to do whatever they want with it without being criticized."
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11. Kai Jolly
"+wild heart I agree."
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Reply
12. Velvet Velours
"+Nae2588 that's your niece. 90% of black people do not have naturally straight hair"
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13. Kai Jolly [2016]
"+Zhang Yixing But some of them do lol.
-snip-
It appears that Zhang Yixing is another screen name for Velvet Velours.
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Reply
14. Dana Newman [2016]
"+lobster0right It's not about her hair..."
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Reply
15. Asia Speights [2016]
"....? Because white women don't wear weaves? [Profanity initials deleted] does her hair have to do with ANYTHING."
**
16. Rebecca Shogunle
"strong. powerful. insightful and definitely true beyond doubt"
**
17. Monkey Teeth
"Look how confident and proud she seems. Snatch that wig off her head and watch her confidence instantly disappear as she runs off stage embarrassed of her God given hair !"
**
Reply
18. Azandria Hudson [2016]
"Her weave isn't a mask just simply a style. You don't have to wear your natural hair 24/7 to love yourself and be woke"
**
19. Nae2588
"amazing. black power"
**
Reply
20. G Den [2016]
"Stop it! this is not about "Black Power" or hating others. it's about uplifting our Black women, specifically those who are less mixed than others (Dark Skin). I will not allow YOU to make something so beautiful ugly.
-Black Activist/Community Member"
**
21. mrschrisbrown416
"love this with the entire life of me."
**
22. Emmanuel Mango
"What's her name?"
**
Reply
23. MasterPiece
"+David Emmanuel MasterPiece.... Check out masterpiecepoet on IG"
-snip-
"IG" = "Instagram".
**
24. Snoopy Thompson
"She Tells It Like It Tis"
****
2016
25. Awo Abdi
" "our sons don't need sunscreen, they run from protection" you're lying if you say you didn't get chills."
-snip-
This comment refers to this portion of that spoken word [from 1:40-1:53] in this video:
"They say 'The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice'
But nowdays it's 'The blacker the baby, the longer the noose.'
Our sons don't need sunscreen.
They run from protection.
They get their vitamin D from laying 4 hours face down on the ground."
-snip-
"The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice" is a recurring saying in African American folk culture since at least 1922 (Thomas W. Talley's Negro Folk Songs: Wise & Otherwise (song/poem "You Love You Girl". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/06/timeline-for-cultural-use-of-saying.html for a pancocojams post on that saying.
The line "they get their vitamin D from laying face down on the ground" is probably a referent to the August 9, 2014 shooting of 18 year old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri by Darren Wilson, 28, a White Ferguson police officer and Michael Brown's body laying unattended for hours after the shooting.
**
26. Adrian Ware
"talk about the power. You can definitely here it in her voice. So moving. The queen just spoke"
-snip-
Since the late 1960s Black nationalist movement in the United States "queen" has been a complimentary referent for a Black woman.
**
27. jack
"Great poem oh my lord! I have chills.
For anyone asking, the song is Behind Closed Doors by Muoi."
**
28. Lemonslay
"You're beautiful with your skin like moonlight and your eyes like the moon."
-snip-
These words may be found in this spoken word, but I'm not sure where they are in this video.
**
29. Sade Tucker
"I give this millions of snaps!!! Incredibly executed!"
**
30. angela modifo
"amandla!!!"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amandla_(power)
"Amandla is a Zulu and Xhosa word meaning "power". The word was a popular rallying cry in the days of resistance against Apartheid, used by the African National Congress and its allies. The leader of a group would call out "Amandla!" and the crowd would respond with "Awethu"[1] or "Ngawethu!"[2] (to us), completing the South African version of the rallying cry Power to the People!.[3] The word is still associated with struggles against oppression."...
**
31. Vikki Costello
"what !! amazing Queen! all I can say is powers to the most high & #Kudos cause that was God sent"
**
32. mariemonstre
"Very powerful but also a little saddening. As a mixed child, I feel hurt that she talks about us mixed children are made out of some desire to purge undesirable traits. But I say my parents loved each other. As apparently unbelievable as it seems. And she stays she doesn't want to be attacked for her appearance, yet she attacks us. Think about that."
**
Reply
33. mariemonstre
"Says* not stays"
-snip-
mariemonstre is referring to the portion of the line that is spoken at around 1:00 in this video "She got flavor- ain't that how those mulatto babies are made?"
**
34. Nina H
"Does anybody know where I can find this typed out? I cant understabd her in some parts :("
**
Reply
35. MasterPiece
"+Nina H Book will be released soon ;p"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases a video of the spoken word "Black Girl Blues" by MasterPiece Poet.
Partial lyrics of this spoken word poem are included in this post along with editorial notes about some of the references in that poem. This post also includes brief information about MasterPiece Poet, as well as selected comments from this video's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to MasterPiece Poet for her powerful spoken word "Black Girl Blues". Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to All Def Poetry, the publisher of this post on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MASTERPIECE POET
From https://www.reverbnation.com/masterpiece83
"Artist Bio
MasterPiece the poetess was born in Dallas, Tx. She also lived in Arizona for seven years while studying Theatre Arts and Business Administration at the University of Arizona. She began performing and acting at the age of 6 and also discovered a love for poetry at 13. Her passion for poetry and performing arts has inspired many people. The debut album Mind of MasterPiece introduces a new genre of music coined by MasterPiece herself: rhythm and poetry. The cd chronicles her story through powerful words, emotions, rhyme, thought provoking lyrics and smooth rhythmic music that has a hint of hip hop, soul, and jazz all mixed into one. Fans recognize her as a dynamic writer with poise, talent, and beauty. She continues to maintain a balance between the arts and business by being an extraordinary poet/performer and business woman. Her hobbies include basketball, dancing, cooking, designing webpages, traveling, and watching movies. Her poet name MasterPiece stems from the idea that all artists strive to achieve and put forth their best work possible. It is a metaphor for a successful artist."...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Masterpiece Poet - "Black Girl Blues" | All Def Poetry x Da Poetry Lounge
All Def Poetry Published on Aug 19, 2015
Subscribe for more poetry! http://bit.ly/alldefpoetry
....All Def Poetry is a new channel brought to you by Russell Simmons - a world-renowned champion of the spoken word art form. Fresh, riveting, and featuring some of the best voices in the genre, All Def Poetry brings you the raw power of spoken word! #AllDefPoetry
****
SELECTED LYRICS FROM THIS SPOKEN WORD
[1:22- 1:39 of this video]
Black girl, free yourself.
And when you fly
Tell ’em Fannie Lou Hamer sent you.
Tell ‘em, you are your own queen.
Tell ‘em your brown suga maple syrup can't be bought off shelves.
Tell ’em dark don’t mean dirty,
Nappy don’t mean nasty.
Loud don’t mean ratchet.
Bold don’t mean problematic.
[2:07-2:39 of this video]
We have a purpose here.
You can’t take that away.
You can’t Emmett Till our sons no more.
You can’t 16 Street Baptist Church burn our bodies no more.
You can’t walk up in the church and shoot us in prayer no more.
You can’t kill us in the jail cell and call it suicide no more.
This ain’t open season.
Black girl, you are brick.
You are mortar.
You are designed.
You are ceiling.
More than just measurement.
Raise your head.
This Black girl ain’t got no Blues tonight.
You be you.
In your Blues you beautiful as you wanna be.
Dark eyes, thick thighs, we don’t need to apologize.
-snip-
These words flow together in rhythmic form. I added the spacing for reading clarity only.
I'm sorry for any mistakes in this partial transcription. Any corrections are welcome.
Here's information regarding some of the historical references in this excerpt of "MasterPiece Poet's "Black Girl Blues" spoken word:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fannie_Lou_Hamer
"Fannie Lou Hamer ... October 6, 1917 – March 14, 1977) was an American voting rights activist, civil rights leader, and philanthropist. She was instrumental in organizing Mississippi's Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and later became the vice-chair of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which she represented at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey."...
-snip-
Regarding why she was a civil rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer said “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired”.
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Street_Baptist_Church
"The 16th Street Baptist Church is a Baptist church in Birmingham, Alabama, that is frequented predominantly by African Americans. In September 1963, it was the target of the racially motivated 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four girls in the midst of the American Civil Rights Movement. The church is still in operation and is a central landmark in the Birmingham Civil Rights District. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2006."...
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Till
"Emmett Louis Till (July 25, 1941 – August 28, 1955) was an African-American teenager who was lynched in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly flirting with a white woman...
Till's body was returned to Chicago. His mother, who had mostly raised him, insisted on a public funeral service with an open casket to show the world the brutality of the killing. "The open-coffin funeral held by Mamie Till Bradley exposed the world to more than her son Emmett Till's bloated, mutilated body. Her decision focused attention not only on American racism and the barbarism of lynching but also on the limitations and vulnerabilities of American democracy.
...Till's murder is noted as a pivotal catalyst to the next phase of the Civil Rights Movement."...
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS SHOWCASE VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
These comments are given in chronological order based on their publishing date-except for replies- with the oldest comment given first. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only.
2015
1. Kendrick-Kamau “StreetPolitik” El-Negasi
"This is one of the dopest poems I've heard in a long. She had the wordplay and righteous aggression spelled out for you, undeniably witty but easy to digest with urgency like milk to a babe."
-snip-
"dopest" = African American Vernacular English term meaning "the very best"
**
2. MasterPiece [2016]
"+Kendrick-Kamau “StreetPolitik” El-Negasi Thank you so much!!!"
**
Reply
3. Kendrick-Kamau “StreetPolitik” El-Negasi1 month ago
"+MasterPiece no problem, thank you for creating & sharing."
**
4. lobster0right
"said the woman wearing a weave"
-snip-
"weave" (hair weave) = real or fake hair that is woven or glued to person's real hair to add length and/or fullness. (also called "extensions")
**
Reply
5. Jamesha Michelle
"Excuse you, but a hairstyle defines nothing."
**
Reply
6. Kai Jolly
"What the [profanity deleted] does that have to do with anything?"
**
Reply
7. inspirebabe_
"+lobster0right She can do what she want with her hair!"
**
8. Monkey Teeth
"+Jamesha Michelle you can't have it both ways! You can't recite verses about the veneration of black women and the uniqueness of the black women while simotaneously wearing the hair texture of a white women...some serious self worth issues going on here"
**
Reply
9. Nae2588
"+Monkey Teeth my niece is dark as night, but she was born with straight black hair, she's 8 now, and my friend her hair is still straight, never been touched by a perm, nor a flat iron or a pressing comb. her mom mainly did her hair, and her mom got thrown in prison on drug charges, so if it was nappy someone needed to do it, because white European hair as u claim, we all know can fix itself, just as soon as they get out of bed."
**
Reply
10. wild heart
"+Monkey Teeth What do you mean? She is clearly a black woman who loves herself unapologetically. Plus Black women get judged for whatever they do with her hair. Black women should be able to do whatever they want with it without being criticized."
**
Reply
11. Kai Jolly
"+wild heart I agree."
**
Reply
12. Velvet Velours
"+Nae2588 that's your niece. 90% of black people do not have naturally straight hair"
**
Reply
13. Kai Jolly [2016]
"+Zhang Yixing But some of them do lol.
-snip-
It appears that Zhang Yixing is another screen name for Velvet Velours.
**
Reply
14. Dana Newman [2016]
"+lobster0right It's not about her hair..."
**
Reply
15. Asia Speights [2016]
"....? Because white women don't wear weaves? [Profanity initials deleted] does her hair have to do with ANYTHING."
**
16. Rebecca Shogunle
"strong. powerful. insightful and definitely true beyond doubt"
**
17. Monkey Teeth
"Look how confident and proud she seems. Snatch that wig off her head and watch her confidence instantly disappear as she runs off stage embarrassed of her God given hair !"
**
Reply
18. Azandria Hudson [2016]
"Her weave isn't a mask just simply a style. You don't have to wear your natural hair 24/7 to love yourself and be woke"
**
19. Nae2588
"amazing. black power"
**
Reply
20. G Den [2016]
"Stop it! this is not about "Black Power" or hating others. it's about uplifting our Black women, specifically those who are less mixed than others (Dark Skin). I will not allow YOU to make something so beautiful ugly.
-Black Activist/Community Member"
**
21. mrschrisbrown416
"love this with the entire life of me."
**
22. Emmanuel Mango
"What's her name?"
**
Reply
23. MasterPiece
"+David Emmanuel MasterPiece.... Check out masterpiecepoet on IG"
-snip-
"IG" = "Instagram".
**
24. Snoopy Thompson
"She Tells It Like It Tis"
****
2016
25. Awo Abdi
" "our sons don't need sunscreen, they run from protection" you're lying if you say you didn't get chills."
-snip-
This comment refers to this portion of that spoken word [from 1:40-1:53] in this video:
"They say 'The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice'
But nowdays it's 'The blacker the baby, the longer the noose.'
Our sons don't need sunscreen.
They run from protection.
They get their vitamin D from laying 4 hours face down on the ground."
-snip-
"The blacker the berry the sweeter the juice" is a recurring saying in African American folk culture since at least 1922 (Thomas W. Talley's Negro Folk Songs: Wise & Otherwise (song/poem "You Love You Girl". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/06/timeline-for-cultural-use-of-saying.html for a pancocojams post on that saying.
The line "they get their vitamin D from laying face down on the ground" is probably a referent to the August 9, 2014 shooting of 18 year old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri by Darren Wilson, 28, a White Ferguson police officer and Michael Brown's body laying unattended for hours after the shooting.
**
26. Adrian Ware
"talk about the power. You can definitely here it in her voice. So moving. The queen just spoke"
-snip-
Since the late 1960s Black nationalist movement in the United States "queen" has been a complimentary referent for a Black woman.
**
27. jack
"Great poem oh my lord! I have chills.
For anyone asking, the song is Behind Closed Doors by Muoi."
**
28. Lemonslay
"You're beautiful with your skin like moonlight and your eyes like the moon."
-snip-
These words may be found in this spoken word, but I'm not sure where they are in this video.
**
29. Sade Tucker
"I give this millions of snaps!!! Incredibly executed!"
**
30. angela modifo
"amandla!!!"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amandla_(power)
"Amandla is a Zulu and Xhosa word meaning "power". The word was a popular rallying cry in the days of resistance against Apartheid, used by the African National Congress and its allies. The leader of a group would call out "Amandla!" and the crowd would respond with "Awethu"[1] or "Ngawethu!"[2] (to us), completing the South African version of the rallying cry Power to the People!.[3] The word is still associated with struggles against oppression."...
**
31. Vikki Costello
"what !! amazing Queen! all I can say is powers to the most high & #Kudos cause that was God sent"
**
32. mariemonstre
"Very powerful but also a little saddening. As a mixed child, I feel hurt that she talks about us mixed children are made out of some desire to purge undesirable traits. But I say my parents loved each other. As apparently unbelievable as it seems. And she stays she doesn't want to be attacked for her appearance, yet she attacks us. Think about that."
**
Reply
33. mariemonstre
"Says* not stays"
-snip-
mariemonstre is referring to the portion of the line that is spoken at around 1:00 in this video "She got flavor- ain't that how those mulatto babies are made?"
**
34. Nina H
"Does anybody know where I can find this typed out? I cant understabd her in some parts :("
**
Reply
35. MasterPiece
"+Nina H Book will be released soon ;p"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Slim Harpo - Baby, Scratch My Back (with film clips of old Blues dancing)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a video of the Blues/R&B song "Baby, Scratch My Back" performed by Slim Harpo.
Information about Slim Harpo, the lyrics to this song, and selected comments from this video's discussion thread are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Slim Harpo for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to Allan Gange, the producer and publisher of this video on YouTube.
Hat tip to Pittsburgh's storyteller, harpo, and folklorist Amir Rashid for hipping me to Slim Harpo, and the fact that a "harpo" is someone who plays a harp (harmonica).
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SLIM HARPO
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slim_Harpo
"James Isaac Moore (January 11, 1924 – January 31, 1970),[1][nb 1] better known by his stage name Slim Harpo, was an American blues musician, a leading exponent of the swamp blues style, and "one of the most commercially successful blues artists of his day".[2] His most successful and influential recordings included "I'm a King Bee" (1957), "Rainin' In My Heart" (1961), and "Baby Scratch My Back" (1966) which reached no. 1 on the R&B chart and no.16 on the US pop chart. A master of the blues harmonica, his stage name was derived from the popular nickname for that instrument, the "harp".[3]...
He had his biggest commercial success in 1966, when the predominantly instrumental "Baby Scratch My Back" reached no.1 on the R&B chart and no.16 on the US pop chart. Harpo described it as "an attempt at rock & roll for me." Like his previous records, it was recorded with producer J. D. Miller and the regular Excello musicians, including guitarist Rudy Richard, bassist James Johnson and drummer Jesse Kinchen, in Crowley, Louisiana."...
****
LYRICS: BABY, SCRATCH MY BACK (Single Version)
(Slim Harpo)
Aw, I'm itchy
And I don't know where to scratch
Come here baby
Scratch my back
I know you can do it
So baby, get to it
Aw, you're workin with it now
You got me feelin' so good
Little bit to the center now, baby
Hmm-mmm!
This little girl sho' knows how to scratch
Now, you're doin' the chicken-scratch
Aw, it's lookin' good, baby
Just gettin' scratchy
That's what I'm talkin' about
Source: https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tscv2iuvwielg5hx4fazad26e5u?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Slim Harpo Baby, Scratch My Back
Allan Gange, Uploaded on Feb 3, 2010
Slim Harpo's cool classic set to old dance clips and animals scratching
-snip-
selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
These comments are presented in chronological order based on their posting date, except for replies, with the oldest dated by year comment given first. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
2010
1. theophano
"This is Louisiana "swamp blues"."
**
2. kajunmoon
"slim harpo from lobell,louisiana ..that scarch in the guitar he called it the chicken scratch ,i think rudy richard is playing it idk i do know rudy is playing and alive and well.."
**
3. lsubail
"@kajunmoon
James Johnson on guitar on this track. Rudy did play on many. Both are still playing in the Baton Rouge area"
**
4. briggsm
"whatever those two guys are doing at 0:07 i wanna learn it! whats that called?"
**
Reply
5. fatguyinlittlecoat86
"@briggsm I don't know what is called, but if you look up So You Think You Can Dance! Season 7 Week 3 practice session of Alex Wong and Twitch (Twilex), you can see them practicing this dance for their up-coming performance."
**
2011
6. Atomank68
"Huuuyaah! Real southern, backwoods "country" blues and soul. Loved this one since I was five years old!"
**
2012
7. robin2012ism
"I liked the rubber legs best. Job well done - for your first too!"
**
8. Mayer Shalelhashbazz
"great tune, excellent montage. well done.
ty"
**
9. margaret andrews
"Thanks for the video..very nice job!!! talking bout some kool kats.. the brothers that was dancing in the field..if I am not mistaken the one that was movin his foot like he was slidin.. that dance use to be called by the ol' folks the "sloup"...I know it sounds crazy but I remember that dance...Thanks again, very good" job!!
-snip-
"Sloup" = "slop"
****
2013
10. Lily Bell
"Does anyone have any idea who these people are who are featured in this video?"
**
Reply
11. Allan Gange
"Hi Lily Bell. I can tell you the clips I used (they are all on YouTube). The bendy man is Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker. The original video is in colour. The group with the harmonica and the break dancer are from the clip of The Mills Brothers singing Caravan. The two fellas dancing by the fence are slowed down. They are actually dancing to Muddy Waters singing Got My Mojo Working at the newport jazz festival. Hope that helps"
**
12. GOLDBAND45rpm
"Those two guys dancing in the video is taken from 'Newport Jazz Festival 1960' during Muddy Water's performance OR 'Jazz On a Summer's Day' during Chuck Berry's performance.Which one anybody?"
**
Reply
13. Allan Gange
"Hi. I can confirm that it was taken from Muddy Waters performance of Got My Mojo Working - I had to slow the footage down to try and match the music. It was my first video. Seems like forever ago"
**
14. Mark King
"So many Great musicians who were really never appreciated as much as they should have been and Slim is one of them. Love you man!"
**
15. MAJORSNODGRASS
"Who is the guitarist please????"
**
Reply
16. GOLDBAND45rpm
"Poor records of participating musicians makes recording details difficult to map out at times but guitarist on this recording could be either Rudolph Richard or James Johnsson or even Slim himself who was more active on some of his later recordings"
**
17. Byron Stevens
"This is one of them Sure Nuf R&B Records that we wouldhave to play3 or 4 times on our air shift per day. Hang in there People."
**
18. Trixie Hutts
"nice dance what was that called talkig about the in the back ground the rubber leg"
****
2015
19. ayahuascayage
"A very well done and entertaining video that really accentuates one of my favorite Slim Harpo songs. Thanks."
**
20. David White
"I recognize "Snake Hips" (the fellow on stage with the white shirt) -- but who are the two gents dancing outside by the picket fence, what movie are those group dance scenes from, and who's that hillbilly band?"
**
Reply
21. Level Lez
"+David Whiteis the two gents dancing1960 Newport Fest"
**
Reply
22. Bill Mavin [2016]
+David Whiteis Newport Festival dancing to got my mojo working. Saw it on you tube
**
23. Old Chrome
"Cool vid! Congrats. I saw in this the origins of Elvis's moves and the origins of break dancing!"
**
14. J. Foster
"OMG! Breakdancers! Moonwalking!"
**
25. Phil Bell
"A rare blues classic, what a gem ! I defy anybody out there to name the harmonica player ! don't tell me the obvious answer of Slim himself (which is perfectly possible). Whoever it is they can really play that thing. I hope they were well rewarded for their talent. It gets my vote ! thanx Slim !"
**
Reply
26. Bill Mavin [2016]
"+Phil Bell Lazy Lester"
**
27. THEMOJOMANsince1959
"I love to read the comments and realize that I'm not alone lovin' the Blues like I do. It's so sad they didn't have videos or more films of our early R&B & Rock pioneers. Today's kids will never really know will they?"
**
Reply
28. Wesley Cole
"+THEMOJOMANsince1959 I'm 18 and me and my friends love blues. Today's kids know more than you might think."
**
29. Kimberly Reynolds
"I like this video very much. this was the type music I was raised on. I always loved the blues."
**
30. Tonithenightowl
"I wonder if the dancers from Soul Train realized where they got their moves from? lol Such a cool song and loved the video."
****
2016
31. billy fatbowe
"......This music taste better than the music yo mama used to make.....'-)0////"
**
32. byron, stevens
"A great big sound that was on the Chitlin Circuit."
**
33. 59cadcoupe
"I bought this song when it was brand new, it was different from anything else on the radio. Still love it!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases a video of the Blues/R&B song "Baby, Scratch My Back" performed by Slim Harpo.
Information about Slim Harpo, the lyrics to this song, and selected comments from this video's discussion thread are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Slim Harpo for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to Allan Gange, the producer and publisher of this video on YouTube.
Hat tip to Pittsburgh's storyteller, harpo, and folklorist Amir Rashid for hipping me to Slim Harpo, and the fact that a "harpo" is someone who plays a harp (harmonica).
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SLIM HARPO
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slim_Harpo
"James Isaac Moore (January 11, 1924 – January 31, 1970),[1][nb 1] better known by his stage name Slim Harpo, was an American blues musician, a leading exponent of the swamp blues style, and "one of the most commercially successful blues artists of his day".[2] His most successful and influential recordings included "I'm a King Bee" (1957), "Rainin' In My Heart" (1961), and "Baby Scratch My Back" (1966) which reached no. 1 on the R&B chart and no.16 on the US pop chart. A master of the blues harmonica, his stage name was derived from the popular nickname for that instrument, the "harp".[3]...
He had his biggest commercial success in 1966, when the predominantly instrumental "Baby Scratch My Back" reached no.1 on the R&B chart and no.16 on the US pop chart. Harpo described it as "an attempt at rock & roll for me." Like his previous records, it was recorded with producer J. D. Miller and the regular Excello musicians, including guitarist Rudy Richard, bassist James Johnson and drummer Jesse Kinchen, in Crowley, Louisiana."...
****
LYRICS: BABY, SCRATCH MY BACK (Single Version)
(Slim Harpo)
Aw, I'm itchy
And I don't know where to scratch
Come here baby
Scratch my back
I know you can do it
So baby, get to it
Aw, you're workin with it now
You got me feelin' so good
Little bit to the center now, baby
Hmm-mmm!
This little girl sho' knows how to scratch
Now, you're doin' the chicken-scratch
Aw, it's lookin' good, baby
Just gettin' scratchy
That's what I'm talkin' about
Source: https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tscv2iuvwielg5hx4fazad26e5u?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Slim Harpo Baby, Scratch My Back
Allan Gange, Uploaded on Feb 3, 2010
Slim Harpo's cool classic set to old dance clips and animals scratching
-snip-
selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
These comments are presented in chronological order based on their posting date, except for replies, with the oldest dated by year comment given first. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
2010
1. theophano
"This is Louisiana "swamp blues"."
**
2. kajunmoon
"slim harpo from lobell,louisiana ..that scarch in the guitar he called it the chicken scratch ,i think rudy richard is playing it idk i do know rudy is playing and alive and well.."
**
3. lsubail
"@kajunmoon
James Johnson on guitar on this track. Rudy did play on many. Both are still playing in the Baton Rouge area"
**
4. briggsm
"whatever those two guys are doing at 0:07 i wanna learn it! whats that called?"
**
Reply
5. fatguyinlittlecoat86
"@briggsm I don't know what is called, but if you look up So You Think You Can Dance! Season 7 Week 3 practice session of Alex Wong and Twitch (Twilex), you can see them practicing this dance for their up-coming performance."
**
2011
6. Atomank68
"Huuuyaah! Real southern, backwoods "country" blues and soul. Loved this one since I was five years old!"
**
2012
7. robin2012ism
"I liked the rubber legs best. Job well done - for your first too!"
**
8. Mayer Shalelhashbazz
"great tune, excellent montage. well done.
ty"
**
9. margaret andrews
"Thanks for the video..very nice job!!! talking bout some kool kats.. the brothers that was dancing in the field..if I am not mistaken the one that was movin his foot like he was slidin.. that dance use to be called by the ol' folks the "sloup"...I know it sounds crazy but I remember that dance...Thanks again, very good" job!!
-snip-
"Sloup" = "slop"
****
2013
10. Lily Bell
"Does anyone have any idea who these people are who are featured in this video?"
**
Reply
11. Allan Gange
"Hi Lily Bell. I can tell you the clips I used (they are all on YouTube). The bendy man is Earl "Snake Hips" Tucker. The original video is in colour. The group with the harmonica and the break dancer are from the clip of The Mills Brothers singing Caravan. The two fellas dancing by the fence are slowed down. They are actually dancing to Muddy Waters singing Got My Mojo Working at the newport jazz festival. Hope that helps"
**
12. GOLDBAND45rpm
"Those two guys dancing in the video is taken from 'Newport Jazz Festival 1960' during Muddy Water's performance OR 'Jazz On a Summer's Day' during Chuck Berry's performance.Which one anybody?"
**
Reply
13. Allan Gange
"Hi. I can confirm that it was taken from Muddy Waters performance of Got My Mojo Working - I had to slow the footage down to try and match the music. It was my first video. Seems like forever ago"
**
14. Mark King
"So many Great musicians who were really never appreciated as much as they should have been and Slim is one of them. Love you man!"
**
15. MAJORSNODGRASS
"Who is the guitarist please????"
**
Reply
16. GOLDBAND45rpm
"Poor records of participating musicians makes recording details difficult to map out at times but guitarist on this recording could be either Rudolph Richard or James Johnsson or even Slim himself who was more active on some of his later recordings"
**
17. Byron Stevens
"This is one of them Sure Nuf R&B Records that we wouldhave to play3 or 4 times on our air shift per day. Hang in there People."
**
18. Trixie Hutts
"nice dance what was that called talkig about the in the back ground the rubber leg"
****
2015
19. ayahuascayage
"A very well done and entertaining video that really accentuates one of my favorite Slim Harpo songs. Thanks."
**
20. David White
"I recognize "Snake Hips" (the fellow on stage with the white shirt) -- but who are the two gents dancing outside by the picket fence, what movie are those group dance scenes from, and who's that hillbilly band?"
**
Reply
21. Level Lez
"+David Whiteis the two gents dancing1960 Newport Fest"
**
Reply
22. Bill Mavin [2016]
+David Whiteis Newport Festival dancing to got my mojo working. Saw it on you tube
**
23. Old Chrome
"Cool vid! Congrats. I saw in this the origins of Elvis's moves and the origins of break dancing!"
**
14. J. Foster
"OMG! Breakdancers! Moonwalking!"
**
25. Phil Bell
"A rare blues classic, what a gem ! I defy anybody out there to name the harmonica player ! don't tell me the obvious answer of Slim himself (which is perfectly possible). Whoever it is they can really play that thing. I hope they were well rewarded for their talent. It gets my vote ! thanx Slim !"
**
Reply
26. Bill Mavin [2016]
"+Phil Bell Lazy Lester"
**
27. THEMOJOMANsince1959
"I love to read the comments and realize that I'm not alone lovin' the Blues like I do. It's so sad they didn't have videos or more films of our early R&B & Rock pioneers. Today's kids will never really know will they?"
**
Reply
28. Wesley Cole
"+THEMOJOMANsince1959 I'm 18 and me and my friends love blues. Today's kids know more than you might think."
**
29. Kimberly Reynolds
"I like this video very much. this was the type music I was raised on. I always loved the blues."
**
30. Tonithenightowl
"I wonder if the dancers from Soul Train realized where they got their moves from? lol Such a cool song and loved the video."
****
2016
31. billy fatbowe
"......This music taste better than the music yo mama used to make.....'-)0////"
**
32. byron, stevens
"A great big sound that was on the Chitlin Circuit."
**
33. 59cadcoupe
"I bought this song when it was brand new, it was different from anything else on the radio. Still love it!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Four YouTube Examples Of Yoruba Bolojo Music
Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a two part series on the Yoruba people's Bolojo music & dance. Bolojo music is a form of popular music that developed among the Egbado (Yewa) Yoruba people in the 1970s.
Part II showcases one sound file of Bolojo music by Akinna Vasco Da Gama and one sound file by King Jossy Friday. This post also showcases two videos of Bolojo music by Zeynab.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/yoruba-bolojo-music-dance-online.html for Part I of this post. Part I provides a compilation of information about Bolojo music & dance from several online articles and YouTube video discussion threads.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the featured artists whose sound files and videos are showcased in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
DISCLAIMER:
I'm sharing this music to document this information and help spread examples of this music/dance.
I only know about Bolojo music from coming across examples as a result of "YouTube surfing" African music, and then using Google to search for information about that music genre.
Note: The four examples of Bolojo music that are showcased in this series aren't the only examples of Bolojo music on YouTube. However, I've only found a few more examples of that music on that site. Additional information about this information and its recording artists and additional publication of musical examples would be very welcome.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order baded on the examples' publishing date on YouTube, with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: Fasco Da Gama - Aiyetoro Social Club
EgbaAlake Uploaded on Jun 24, 2011
bolojo music. Akanni Vasco Da Gama
****
Example #2: KING JOSSY FRIDAY - BOLOJO SPECIAL
EgbaAlake Uploaded on Sep 11, 2011
Bolojo music
****
Example #3: Zeynab -Mogba Ara Da (Bolojo)
Zeynab Abib Published on Jun 22, 2012
Zeynab performing Pour son Amour (C) 2011 Fekema Prod & Osha Studios
****
Example #4: ZEYNAB - BOLOJO "Medley"
Zeynab Abib , Published on Aug 31, 2015
Zeynab performing Bolojo "Medley"
(C) 2015 Fekema Prod
****
This concludes Part II of this series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This is Part II of a two part series on the Yoruba people's Bolojo music & dance. Bolojo music is a form of popular music that developed among the Egbado (Yewa) Yoruba people in the 1970s.
Part II showcases one sound file of Bolojo music by Akinna Vasco Da Gama and one sound file by King Jossy Friday. This post also showcases two videos of Bolojo music by Zeynab.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/yoruba-bolojo-music-dance-online.html for Part I of this post. Part I provides a compilation of information about Bolojo music & dance from several online articles and YouTube video discussion threads.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the featured artists whose sound files and videos are showcased in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
DISCLAIMER:
I'm sharing this music to document this information and help spread examples of this music/dance.
I only know about Bolojo music from coming across examples as a result of "YouTube surfing" African music, and then using Google to search for information about that music genre.
Note: The four examples of Bolojo music that are showcased in this series aren't the only examples of Bolojo music on YouTube. However, I've only found a few more examples of that music on that site. Additional information about this information and its recording artists and additional publication of musical examples would be very welcome.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order baded on the examples' publishing date on YouTube, with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: Fasco Da Gama - Aiyetoro Social Club
EgbaAlake Uploaded on Jun 24, 2011
bolojo music. Akanni Vasco Da Gama
****
Example #2: KING JOSSY FRIDAY - BOLOJO SPECIAL
EgbaAlake Uploaded on Sep 11, 2011
Bolojo music
****
Example #3: Zeynab -Mogba Ara Da (Bolojo)
Zeynab Abib Published on Jun 22, 2012
Zeynab performing Pour son Amour (C) 2011 Fekema Prod & Osha Studios
****
Example #4: ZEYNAB - BOLOJO "Medley"
Zeynab Abib , Published on Aug 31, 2015
Zeynab performing Bolojo "Medley"
(C) 2015 Fekema Prod
****
This concludes Part II of this series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Yoruba "Bolojo" Music & Dance - Online Information & Comments
Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a two part series on the Yoruba people's Bolojo music & dance.
Part I provides a compilation of information about Bolojo music & dance from several online articles and YouTube video discussion threads.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/four-youtube-examples-of-yoruba-bolojo.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases sound file and video examples of Bolojo music by Akinna Vasco Da Gama, King Jossey Friday, and Zeynab Abib. (These artists names are given in chronological order of their examples publishing on YouTube.)
The content of this post is presented for folkloric and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the developers and early Bolojo recording artists and thanks to all contemporary recording artists and performers of that music & dance. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
DISCLAIMER:
I'm quoting these excerpts/comments to document this information and help spread examples of this music/dance.
I only know about Bolojo music from coming across examples as a result of "YouTube surfing" African music, and then using Google to search for information about that music genre.
Note: The four examples of Bolojo music that are showcased in this series aren't the only examples of Bolojo music on YouTube. However, I've only found a few more examples of that music on that site. Additional information about this information and its recording artists and additional publication of musical examples would be very welcome.
****
FORMAT FOR THIS POST
These article excerpts are placed in no particular order. The excerpts are numbered for referencing purposes only.
The comments are given under their YouTube sound file or video link and are presented in chronological order based on their publishing dates, except for responses. The example numbers correspond to the number the sound file or video was given in Part II of this pancocojams series.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPTS
Background - an article about the Yoruba people and an article about the nation of Benin
Excerpt #1:
he Yoruba people (Yoruba: Àwọn ọmọ Yorùbá) are an ethnic group of Southwestern and North central Nigeria as well as Southern and Central Benin known as the Yorubaland cultural region of West Africa. The Yoruba constitute over 40 million people in total; the majority of this population is from Nigeria and make up 21% of its population, according to the CIA World Factbook,[1] making them one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.
The Yoruba share borders with the Borgu in Benin; the Nupe and Ebira in central Nigeria; and the Edo, the Ẹsan, and the Afemai in mid-western Nigeria. The Igala and other related groups are found in the northeast, and the Egun, Fon, Ewe and others in the southeast Benin. The Itsekiri who live in the north-west Niger delta are related to the Yoruba but maintain a distinct cultural identity. Significant Yoruba populations in other West African countries can be found in Ghana,[8][9][10] Togo,[9] Ivory Coast,[11] Liberia and Sierra Leone.[12]
The Yoruba diaspora consists of two main groupings, one of them includes relatively recent migrants, the majority of which moved to the United States and the United Kingdom after major economic changes in the 1970s; the other is a much older population dating back to the Atlantic slave trade. This older community has branches in such countries as Cuba, Saint Lucia, Brazil, Grenada,[13] and Trinidad and Tobago.[14][15][16][17][18][19]...
Religion and mythology
The Yoruba faith, variously known as Aborisha, Orisha-Ifa or simply (and erroneously) Ifa, is commonly seen as one of the principal components of the African traditional religions.
Orisa'nla, also known as Ọbatala,[45] was the arch-divinity chosen by Olodumare, the Supreme God, to create solid land out of the primordial water that then constituted the earth and populating the land with human beings.
Traditional Yoruba religion
The Yorùbá religion comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practices of the Yoruba people.[47] Its homeland is in Southwestern Nigeria and the adjoining parts of Benin and Togo, a region that has come to be known as Yorubaland. Yorùbá religion is formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder.[48] Yoruba religious beliefs are part of itan, the total complex of songs, histories, stories and other cultural concepts which make up the Yorùbá society.[48]...
Today, most contemporary Yoruba are Christians and Muslims. Be that as it may, many of the principles of the traditional faith of their ancestors are either knowingly or unknowingly upheld by a significant proportion of the populations of Nigeria, Benin and Togo."...
****
Excerpt #2:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Benin
"Benin has played an important role in the African music scene, producing one of the biggest stars to come out of the continent in Angélique Kidjo. Post-independence, the country was home to a vibrant and innovative music scene, where native folk music combined with Ghanaian highlife, French cabaret, American rock, funk and soul, and Congolese rumba. It also has a rich variety of ethnomusicological traditions...
The majority of Benin’s 9.32 million people live in the south. The population includes about 42 ethnic groups overall. These include coastal populations of Yoruba in the southeast, who migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century, the Fon in the south central area around Abomey, Mina, Xueda and Aja who came from what is now Togo.
Northern peoples include the Dendi in the north-central area, who came from what is now Mali in the 16th century, the Bariba and Fula people in the northeast and the Betammaribe and Somba in the Atacora Range."...
****
Article excerpts about Bolojo music/dance
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilaro
..."Ilaro, Ogun State is a town in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Ilaro was founded in the 18th century by Aro who migrated from the Oyo town[2] to settle down in Igbo Aje,[3] a little hill situated at the centre of the town from where he and his warriors could sight enemies (mostly slave traders from the neighbouring Benin republic known then as Dahomey) on attack from a long distance. Aro himself was a warrior and a hunter to be reckoned with. Ilaro had her name from "Ilu Aro"[2] meaning the settlement of Aro which later became Ilaro for ease of pronunciation.
Ancient Ilaro town was blessed with great farmers, hunters and warriors out of which Orona and Osata ranked the files of Ilaro history. In the history laid by these humble kinsmen and peace-loving individuals, apart from saving the lives of their kinsmen from the hands of the invading Dahome and other warriors, news had it that Orona with his "Ekun" (Leopard) when he became old and wanted to show the potency of His powers entered into the ground and told his people to call upon him whenever there is problem, i.e. in times of war, by just pulling the chain attached to himself and the leopard as at the time of entering the ground.[3] This place where Orona disappeared into the ground with his Leopard today had been renovated and constructed as an emolument for lovers of history and tourists. Close to this monument is the town hall named after the honourable warrior (picture shown,) "’Orona’ Hall". the statute of Oronna and his Leopard are still there for tourists and lovers of history to see...
The Ilaro people has very rich cultural heritage. The Ilaro people are the originator of the “Bolojo“ and the “gelede” dance. The language of communication at the Gelede dances is songs known as “EFE” which is mostly composed to expose and correct ills done by people in the neighbourhood. One wouldn’t know that one is being noticed at every bad steps one took until a visit to a Bolojo dance performance or the gelede dance stand when specific songs will be composed and rendered to one’s hearing. Listen to the EFE and you will have the cause to laugh stress as well as sorrows out of your life.... The Bolojo dance are usually held at the Oronna hall or at venues for annual programmes such as the independence anniversary, children’s day celebrations etc. The Gelede dances are usually held in the market square and usually during the summer time to enable each and every one both young and old indigenes of Ilaro to participate."...
-snip-
This excerpt was reformatted for this post for better reading clarity.
****
Excerpt #2:
From http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2014/08/egbado-yewa-people-artisan-textile.html
EGBADO (YEWA) PEOPLE: ARTISAN TEXTILE PROCESSING YORUBA SUB-GROUP KNOWN FOR THEIR MYSTICAL GELEDE MASQUERADE AND SECRET SOCIETY, Posted by kwekudee, August 27, 2014
"The Egbado people also now known as Yewa, are amalgamated agriculturalists and artisan textile processing Yoruboid-speaking people that forms a sub-set of the Larger Yoruba ethnic group, inhabiting the eastern area of Ogun West Senatorial District, Ogun State, in south-west Nigeria, West Africa. In 1995, the Egbado people changed their name to the Yewa, which is the name of the River Yewa that passes through their land…..
Unlike other Yoruba sub-ethnic groups that points at only Ile Ife as their original home, the Egbado people appear to have migrated from different places - possibly from the Ketu, Ile-Ife, or Oyo - to their current area early in the 18th century. Historically, Egbado people lived in the of Egbaland near River Ogun. Their name Egbado was contracted from Egbaluwe, "the wanderers towards the river- probably an allusion towards the river Yewa, which runs through their land to the lagoon at Badagr....
Gelede pays homage to the spiritual powers of women, especially elderly women known affectionately as "our mothers," awon iya wa. The powers possessed by such women, comparable to those of the gods, spirits, or ancestors, may be used for the benefit or the destruction of society. When manifesting their destructive dimension such elderly women are termed aje ("witches"). If angered, they can bring down individuals and entire communities....
The Egbado are known for developing a popular style of music, called Bolojo, in the 1970s. Their population level is uncertain, but may be around 500,000....
Egbado speaks North-West Yoruba (NWY) dialect which is also spoken by Abẹokuta, Ibadan, Ọyọ, Ogun and Lagos (Eko) areas."
-snip-
Warning- Unfortunately, the comment section of this website pages (not just this one) have been spammed with sexually explicit content.
****
Excerpt #3
From https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeynab_Habib&prev=search
Zeynab, whose real name Oloukèmi Zeynab Abibou, is a singer Benin of World music born 25 September 1975 to Abidjan in Ivory Coast . She won the trophy Kora Awards 2005 in the category best female artist of the West African and national good will ambassador for UNICEF since 2007...
Biography
Zeynab is from a family Muslim over sixteen children, she is the eighth of a father born engineer in electronics and a shopping mother."...
**
Excerpt #4
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Benin
Popular music
[list of various artists]
....Zeynab Ouloukèmi Habib, born in Abidjan [Ivory Coast to Beninese parents] in 1975, has given concerts around Africa and won a Kora Award for Best Female West African Artist in 2005. She released her first album Intori in 2001, a second album D'un endroit à l'autre in 2004, and a third album Olukèmi in 2011.[5]"
-snip-
I haven't found any online articles about King Jossy Friday, Akinna Fasca Dagama, or any other Bolojo musician. If you know of any articles please add their links in the comment section of this post. Thanks!
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE YOUTUBE EXAMPLES OF BOLOJO MUSIC WHICH ARE SHOWCASED IN PART II OF THIS PANCOCOJAMS SERIES
Comments from Example #1
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-yNJuJgf-4
Fasco Da Gama - Aiyetoro Social Club, EgbaAlake Uploaded on Jun 24, 2011
[All of these comments are from 2011.]
1. yormeey
"@EgbaAlake, this is highlife music?"
**
Reply
EgbaAlake
"@yormeey .This is unique musical style called Bolojo,belonging distinctively to the Yewa/Egbado division of Ogun State.This particular genre was popularised by King Jossy Friday.My remote memory of Vasco Da Gama was probably in my elementry school days back in Abeokuta.Im hoping people can provide us more info on this.I also recall our extended family members coming from Imeko/Aiyetoro towns and surrounding villages coming to Abeokuta to entertain us with cool Bolojo/Efe music.Cheers Yormeey"
**
Ebenezer Oluyemi Idowu
"bolojo belongs only to egbado/yewa..populirised by jossy friday, now i am learning vasco da-gama (of obey fame )also play bolojo...(gbanja re o, e ba mi wayawo" by jossy was banned by then western gov,adebayo..i was born in igan okoto ,yewa north..bolojo was my dads favourite....interesting, could vasco be from aiyeto-7 miles from igan okoto..obey was born in igbogila...gov. adebayo killed bolojo..egbado/yewa for life"
-snip-
The word "killed" in the last sentence of this comment has the standard meaning of that word and not the high complimentary meaning that it has in contemporary African American slang.
**
planetolusola
"@EgbaAlake You've outdone yourself with this bolojo classic. Vasco Da Gama and King Jossy Friday were the biggest bolojo exponents popular in the 60's and 70's along the Egbado/Yewa axis. As a high school student at Egbado High School Igbogila of the middle 70's, I remembered sneaking out of the dorm room with friends to watch Vasco Da Gama's concert in Ilaro. Pure joy to be able to hear his music again on YT. Keep digging EgbaAlake"
****
Comments from Example #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alydl-zGOys&list=PLTBBJ179RqiCNx8Tk72utSyrPrslQrwbd KING JOSSY FRIDAY - BOLOJO SPECIAL
EgbaAlake, Uploaded on Sep 11, 2011
1. EgbaAlake, 2011
"Special dedication to PLANETOLUSOLA for his relentless efforts at keeping Us all together with all the great Classics."
**
Reply
2. planetolusola, 2011
"@EgbaAlake Much thanks and appreciation for the dedication. Jossy Friday, a native of Igbogila in Ogun State is the undisputable king of Bolojo along with the legendary Vasco Da Gamma. Keep on digging my friend."
**
3. Adisa Olayinka, 2012
"EgbaAlake may God bless you, your family and the works of your hands. This is my late mother's native song as she was from Oke Odan, it brings her fond memory back, am close to tears. You're really a true Yoruba patriot, you deserve a chieftaincy title for promoting Yoruba traditional music. That atinga part reminds me of our stay in Ilaro when the atinga sect came in late 1940s picking witches and wizards. my dad used to take me to the town centre to watch the spectacles as a small boy then."
4. keemdig, 2012
"Many thanks EgbaAlake,You really made my day, I grew up listening to this genre of music around Mushin area of lagos. Mushin then, and may be up till now, had a boisterous population of people from Oke-Ogun. I am a fan of Bolojo music, please do not relent on the good work you are doing. Efforts like yours will save our music from extinction.Thanks fella."
****
Comments from Example #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnkK8VYq7HE Zeynab - Mogba Ara Da (Bolojo), Zeynab Abib, Published on Jun 22, 2012
1. dcbiglew, 2012
"Beautiful. About time to rediscover some of this awesome music. Thanks for the post. Bolojo became a bit political in the late 60's early 70's and the then governor of Lagos state banned bolojo music( imagine that) good stuff"
**
2. Debo Alder, 2012
"This is so amazing and I find it extremely difficult to believe this master piece is from a young lady; though I appreciate the homogeneity among the Yorubas and the great people of Republic of Benin. This great ‘bolojo’ piece is capable of invoking the spirit of the origin of the music in Egb
ado Land. The foremost Bolojo exponent, King Jossy Friday is still very much alive and I’m sure he will be proud of Zeynab if he comes across this music."
**
3. gracetchabi, 2012
"Rapublic of Benin and Nigeria are all the same !zeynab is a beninese artist which sings in english french yoruba fongbe ..love her..dont be surprised we have pure yoruba and nago culture in benin"
**
Boniface Dubois, 2014
"I can't stop listing to this song. My mum is from abeoukouta Nigeria. This song reminds me my childhood in abeoukouta with my grandfather. Young couples should listen more this kind of song to learn about how to manage their problems. Proud of being yoruba"
**
planetolusola, 2015
"The great Zeynab has done it again. Representing Anago/Egbado axis in this bolojo medley. True Yoruba ambassador you are."
-snip-
Read the information about Zeynab that is given in the section above.
****
Comments from Example #4
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHftxPi5BP4
ZEYNAB - BOLOJO "Medley", Zeynab Abib Published on Aug 31, 2015
1. ajedeluwasa, 2015
"I just love and appreciate this unique adaptation of Bolojo music. She is simply good. Some Ekiti/Owo musicians still sing in authentic and appealing way. But Zeynab is really very good.
**
2. Mike Emma, 2016
"This is d best Yoruba music I ever listen to in my life time. I v listened to so many but none compared to dis music. I even sing it in my sleep so captivating dat I can't get enough of it. I wish she could do more of dis traditional music bcos she is a gud dancer and singer. One day, I hope to bring her to her mother land , Land of oduduwa. More grease to ur elbow."
**
3. Ola Ogunbunmi
"Thanks for the near perfect musical presentation of yoruba cultural heritage. Thanks again for keeping our tradional music intact without western polution."
****
This concludes Part I of this series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This is Part I of a two part series on the Yoruba people's Bolojo music & dance.
Part I provides a compilation of information about Bolojo music & dance from several online articles and YouTube video discussion threads.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/four-youtube-examples-of-yoruba-bolojo.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases sound file and video examples of Bolojo music by Akinna Vasco Da Gama, King Jossey Friday, and Zeynab Abib. (These artists names are given in chronological order of their examples publishing on YouTube.)
The content of this post is presented for folkloric and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the developers and early Bolojo recording artists and thanks to all contemporary recording artists and performers of that music & dance. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
DISCLAIMER:
I'm quoting these excerpts/comments to document this information and help spread examples of this music/dance.
I only know about Bolojo music from coming across examples as a result of "YouTube surfing" African music, and then using Google to search for information about that music genre.
Note: The four examples of Bolojo music that are showcased in this series aren't the only examples of Bolojo music on YouTube. However, I've only found a few more examples of that music on that site. Additional information about this information and its recording artists and additional publication of musical examples would be very welcome.
****
FORMAT FOR THIS POST
These article excerpts are placed in no particular order. The excerpts are numbered for referencing purposes only.
The comments are given under their YouTube sound file or video link and are presented in chronological order based on their publishing dates, except for responses. The example numbers correspond to the number the sound file or video was given in Part II of this pancocojams series.
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ARTICLE EXCERPTS
Background - an article about the Yoruba people and an article about the nation of Benin
Excerpt #1:
he Yoruba people (Yoruba: Àwọn ọmọ Yorùbá) are an ethnic group of Southwestern and North central Nigeria as well as Southern and Central Benin known as the Yorubaland cultural region of West Africa. The Yoruba constitute over 40 million people in total; the majority of this population is from Nigeria and make up 21% of its population, according to the CIA World Factbook,[1] making them one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.
The Yoruba share borders with the Borgu in Benin; the Nupe and Ebira in central Nigeria; and the Edo, the Ẹsan, and the Afemai in mid-western Nigeria. The Igala and other related groups are found in the northeast, and the Egun, Fon, Ewe and others in the southeast Benin. The Itsekiri who live in the north-west Niger delta are related to the Yoruba but maintain a distinct cultural identity. Significant Yoruba populations in other West African countries can be found in Ghana,[8][9][10] Togo,[9] Ivory Coast,[11] Liberia and Sierra Leone.[12]
The Yoruba diaspora consists of two main groupings, one of them includes relatively recent migrants, the majority of which moved to the United States and the United Kingdom after major economic changes in the 1970s; the other is a much older population dating back to the Atlantic slave trade. This older community has branches in such countries as Cuba, Saint Lucia, Brazil, Grenada,[13] and Trinidad and Tobago.[14][15][16][17][18][19]...
Religion and mythology
The Yoruba faith, variously known as Aborisha, Orisha-Ifa or simply (and erroneously) Ifa, is commonly seen as one of the principal components of the African traditional religions.
Orisa'nla, also known as Ọbatala,[45] was the arch-divinity chosen by Olodumare, the Supreme God, to create solid land out of the primordial water that then constituted the earth and populating the land with human beings.
Traditional Yoruba religion
The Yorùbá religion comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practices of the Yoruba people.[47] Its homeland is in Southwestern Nigeria and the adjoining parts of Benin and Togo, a region that has come to be known as Yorubaland. Yorùbá religion is formed of diverse traditions and has no single founder.[48] Yoruba religious beliefs are part of itan, the total complex of songs, histories, stories and other cultural concepts which make up the Yorùbá society.[48]...
Today, most contemporary Yoruba are Christians and Muslims. Be that as it may, many of the principles of the traditional faith of their ancestors are either knowingly or unknowingly upheld by a significant proportion of the populations of Nigeria, Benin and Togo."...
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Excerpt #2:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Benin
"Benin has played an important role in the African music scene, producing one of the biggest stars to come out of the continent in Angélique Kidjo. Post-independence, the country was home to a vibrant and innovative music scene, where native folk music combined with Ghanaian highlife, French cabaret, American rock, funk and soul, and Congolese rumba. It also has a rich variety of ethnomusicological traditions...
The majority of Benin’s 9.32 million people live in the south. The population includes about 42 ethnic groups overall. These include coastal populations of Yoruba in the southeast, who migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century, the Fon in the south central area around Abomey, Mina, Xueda and Aja who came from what is now Togo.
Northern peoples include the Dendi in the north-central area, who came from what is now Mali in the 16th century, the Bariba and Fula people in the northeast and the Betammaribe and Somba in the Atacora Range."...
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Article excerpts about Bolojo music/dance
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilaro
..."Ilaro, Ogun State is a town in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Ilaro was founded in the 18th century by Aro who migrated from the Oyo town[2] to settle down in Igbo Aje,[3] a little hill situated at the centre of the town from where he and his warriors could sight enemies (mostly slave traders from the neighbouring Benin republic known then as Dahomey) on attack from a long distance. Aro himself was a warrior and a hunter to be reckoned with. Ilaro had her name from "Ilu Aro"[2] meaning the settlement of Aro which later became Ilaro for ease of pronunciation.
Ancient Ilaro town was blessed with great farmers, hunters and warriors out of which Orona and Osata ranked the files of Ilaro history. In the history laid by these humble kinsmen and peace-loving individuals, apart from saving the lives of their kinsmen from the hands of the invading Dahome and other warriors, news had it that Orona with his "Ekun" (Leopard) when he became old and wanted to show the potency of His powers entered into the ground and told his people to call upon him whenever there is problem, i.e. in times of war, by just pulling the chain attached to himself and the leopard as at the time of entering the ground.[3] This place where Orona disappeared into the ground with his Leopard today had been renovated and constructed as an emolument for lovers of history and tourists. Close to this monument is the town hall named after the honourable warrior (picture shown,) "’Orona’ Hall". the statute of Oronna and his Leopard are still there for tourists and lovers of history to see...
The Ilaro people has very rich cultural heritage. The Ilaro people are the originator of the “Bolojo“ and the “gelede” dance. The language of communication at the Gelede dances is songs known as “EFE” which is mostly composed to expose and correct ills done by people in the neighbourhood. One wouldn’t know that one is being noticed at every bad steps one took until a visit to a Bolojo dance performance or the gelede dance stand when specific songs will be composed and rendered to one’s hearing. Listen to the EFE and you will have the cause to laugh stress as well as sorrows out of your life.... The Bolojo dance are usually held at the Oronna hall or at venues for annual programmes such as the independence anniversary, children’s day celebrations etc. The Gelede dances are usually held in the market square and usually during the summer time to enable each and every one both young and old indigenes of Ilaro to participate."...
-snip-
This excerpt was reformatted for this post for better reading clarity.
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Excerpt #2:
From http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2014/08/egbado-yewa-people-artisan-textile.html
EGBADO (YEWA) PEOPLE: ARTISAN TEXTILE PROCESSING YORUBA SUB-GROUP KNOWN FOR THEIR MYSTICAL GELEDE MASQUERADE AND SECRET SOCIETY, Posted by kwekudee, August 27, 2014
"The Egbado people also now known as Yewa, are amalgamated agriculturalists and artisan textile processing Yoruboid-speaking people that forms a sub-set of the Larger Yoruba ethnic group, inhabiting the eastern area of Ogun West Senatorial District, Ogun State, in south-west Nigeria, West Africa. In 1995, the Egbado people changed their name to the Yewa, which is the name of the River Yewa that passes through their land…..
Unlike other Yoruba sub-ethnic groups that points at only Ile Ife as their original home, the Egbado people appear to have migrated from different places - possibly from the Ketu, Ile-Ife, or Oyo - to their current area early in the 18th century. Historically, Egbado people lived in the of Egbaland near River Ogun. Their name Egbado was contracted from Egbaluwe, "the wanderers towards the river- probably an allusion towards the river Yewa, which runs through their land to the lagoon at Badagr....
Gelede pays homage to the spiritual powers of women, especially elderly women known affectionately as "our mothers," awon iya wa. The powers possessed by such women, comparable to those of the gods, spirits, or ancestors, may be used for the benefit or the destruction of society. When manifesting their destructive dimension such elderly women are termed aje ("witches"). If angered, they can bring down individuals and entire communities....
The Egbado are known for developing a popular style of music, called Bolojo, in the 1970s. Their population level is uncertain, but may be around 500,000....
Egbado speaks North-West Yoruba (NWY) dialect which is also spoken by Abẹokuta, Ibadan, Ọyọ, Ogun and Lagos (Eko) areas."
-snip-
Warning- Unfortunately, the comment section of this website pages (not just this one) have been spammed with sexually explicit content.
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Excerpt #3
From https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeynab_Habib&prev=search
Zeynab, whose real name Oloukèmi Zeynab Abibou, is a singer Benin of World music born 25 September 1975 to Abidjan in Ivory Coast . She won the trophy Kora Awards 2005 in the category best female artist of the West African and national good will ambassador for UNICEF since 2007...
Biography
Zeynab is from a family Muslim over sixteen children, she is the eighth of a father born engineer in electronics and a shopping mother."...
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Excerpt #4
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Benin
Popular music
[list of various artists]
....Zeynab Ouloukèmi Habib, born in Abidjan [Ivory Coast to Beninese parents] in 1975, has given concerts around Africa and won a Kora Award for Best Female West African Artist in 2005. She released her first album Intori in 2001, a second album D'un endroit à l'autre in 2004, and a third album Olukèmi in 2011.[5]"
-snip-
I haven't found any online articles about King Jossy Friday, Akinna Fasca Dagama, or any other Bolojo musician. If you know of any articles please add their links in the comment section of this post. Thanks!
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE YOUTUBE EXAMPLES OF BOLOJO MUSIC WHICH ARE SHOWCASED IN PART II OF THIS PANCOCOJAMS SERIES
Comments from Example #1
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-yNJuJgf-4
Fasco Da Gama - Aiyetoro Social Club, EgbaAlake Uploaded on Jun 24, 2011
[All of these comments are from 2011.]
1. yormeey
"@EgbaAlake, this is highlife music?"
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Reply
EgbaAlake
"@yormeey .This is unique musical style called Bolojo,belonging distinctively to the Yewa/Egbado division of Ogun State.This particular genre was popularised by King Jossy Friday.My remote memory of Vasco Da Gama was probably in my elementry school days back in Abeokuta.Im hoping people can provide us more info on this.I also recall our extended family members coming from Imeko/Aiyetoro towns and surrounding villages coming to Abeokuta to entertain us with cool Bolojo/Efe music.Cheers Yormeey"
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Ebenezer Oluyemi Idowu
"bolojo belongs only to egbado/yewa..populirised by jossy friday, now i am learning vasco da-gama (of obey fame )also play bolojo...(gbanja re o, e ba mi wayawo" by jossy was banned by then western gov,adebayo..i was born in igan okoto ,yewa north..bolojo was my dads favourite....interesting, could vasco be from aiyeto-7 miles from igan okoto..obey was born in igbogila...gov. adebayo killed bolojo..egbado/yewa for life"
-snip-
The word "killed" in the last sentence of this comment has the standard meaning of that word and not the high complimentary meaning that it has in contemporary African American slang.
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planetolusola
"@EgbaAlake You've outdone yourself with this bolojo classic. Vasco Da Gama and King Jossy Friday were the biggest bolojo exponents popular in the 60's and 70's along the Egbado/Yewa axis. As a high school student at Egbado High School Igbogila of the middle 70's, I remembered sneaking out of the dorm room with friends to watch Vasco Da Gama's concert in Ilaro. Pure joy to be able to hear his music again on YT. Keep digging EgbaAlake"
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Comments from Example #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alydl-zGOys&list=PLTBBJ179RqiCNx8Tk72utSyrPrslQrwbd KING JOSSY FRIDAY - BOLOJO SPECIAL
EgbaAlake, Uploaded on Sep 11, 2011
1. EgbaAlake, 2011
"Special dedication to PLANETOLUSOLA for his relentless efforts at keeping Us all together with all the great Classics."
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Reply
2. planetolusola, 2011
"@EgbaAlake Much thanks and appreciation for the dedication. Jossy Friday, a native of Igbogila in Ogun State is the undisputable king of Bolojo along with the legendary Vasco Da Gamma. Keep on digging my friend."
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3. Adisa Olayinka, 2012
"EgbaAlake may God bless you, your family and the works of your hands. This is my late mother's native song as she was from Oke Odan, it brings her fond memory back, am close to tears. You're really a true Yoruba patriot, you deserve a chieftaincy title for promoting Yoruba traditional music. That atinga part reminds me of our stay in Ilaro when the atinga sect came in late 1940s picking witches and wizards. my dad used to take me to the town centre to watch the spectacles as a small boy then."
4. keemdig, 2012
"Many thanks EgbaAlake,You really made my day, I grew up listening to this genre of music around Mushin area of lagos. Mushin then, and may be up till now, had a boisterous population of people from Oke-Ogun. I am a fan of Bolojo music, please do not relent on the good work you are doing. Efforts like yours will save our music from extinction.Thanks fella."
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Comments from Example #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnkK8VYq7HE Zeynab - Mogba Ara Da (Bolojo), Zeynab Abib, Published on Jun 22, 2012
1. dcbiglew, 2012
"Beautiful. About time to rediscover some of this awesome music. Thanks for the post. Bolojo became a bit political in the late 60's early 70's and the then governor of Lagos state banned bolojo music( imagine that) good stuff"
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2. Debo Alder, 2012
"This is so amazing and I find it extremely difficult to believe this master piece is from a young lady; though I appreciate the homogeneity among the Yorubas and the great people of Republic of Benin. This great ‘bolojo’ piece is capable of invoking the spirit of the origin of the music in Egb
ado Land. The foremost Bolojo exponent, King Jossy Friday is still very much alive and I’m sure he will be proud of Zeynab if he comes across this music."
**
3. gracetchabi, 2012
"Rapublic of Benin and Nigeria are all the same !zeynab is a beninese artist which sings in english french yoruba fongbe ..love her..dont be surprised we have pure yoruba and nago culture in benin"
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Boniface Dubois, 2014
"I can't stop listing to this song. My mum is from abeoukouta Nigeria. This song reminds me my childhood in abeoukouta with my grandfather. Young couples should listen more this kind of song to learn about how to manage their problems. Proud of being yoruba"
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planetolusola, 2015
"The great Zeynab has done it again. Representing Anago/Egbado axis in this bolojo medley. True Yoruba ambassador you are."
-snip-
Read the information about Zeynab that is given in the section above.
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Comments from Example #4
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHftxPi5BP4
ZEYNAB - BOLOJO "Medley", Zeynab Abib Published on Aug 31, 2015
1. ajedeluwasa, 2015
"I just love and appreciate this unique adaptation of Bolojo music. She is simply good. Some Ekiti/Owo musicians still sing in authentic and appealing way. But Zeynab is really very good.
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2. Mike Emma, 2016
"This is d best Yoruba music I ever listen to in my life time. I v listened to so many but none compared to dis music. I even sing it in my sleep so captivating dat I can't get enough of it. I wish she could do more of dis traditional music bcos she is a gud dancer and singer. One day, I hope to bring her to her mother land , Land of oduduwa. More grease to ur elbow."
**
3. Ola Ogunbunmi
"Thanks for the near perfect musical presentation of yoruba cultural heritage. Thanks again for keeping our tradional music intact without western polution."
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This concludes Part I of this series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Facebooking YouTube Video Comment Threads: Kids Commenting On Starrkeisha Videos' Discussion Threads."
Edited by Azizi Powell
Revised November 5, 2019
This is Part IV of a four part series on "Starrkeisha" videos.
*Update: June 24, 2016 2:10 PM. - I've gone back & forth with this, but I've decided that Part IV will focus on the subject that I'm most interested in regarding the comment threads of Starrkeisha videos. I call that subject "Kids Commenting On YouTube: The Facebooking YouTube Comment Threads".
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/child-support-rap-battle-starrkeisha-vs.html for Part I of this series. Part I showcases a November 2011 "Starrkeisha" video "Child Support Rap Battle - Starrkeisha VS Cameron J".
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-starrkeisha-cheer-squad-petty-cheer.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases two videos of "The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad" (The "Petty" Cheer).
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/starrkeisha-imma-independent-my.html for Part III of this series. Part III of this series showcases the Starrkeisha video "Imma Independent" and includes my analysis of writing styles of selected comments that are found in discussion threads of eight Starrkeisha videos.
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The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Cameron J, the developer of the "Starrkeisha" character and the producer of this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT STARRKEISHA VIDEOS
"Starrkeisha" is a fictional Black female character who was conceptualized and is performed by Black male vocalist, songwriter, and comedic writer/actor Cameron J. Henderson. The Starrkeisha videos are aired on Cameron J's YouTube channel RandomStructureTV. The first Starrkeisha video entitled "I Need My Child Support Money!- StarrKeisha/Cameron J" was uploaded on YouTube on Jan 15, 2011.
Most of the videos that I've come across from 2011-2015 focus on the relationship drama between the ratchet (ghetto, trashy) character Starkeisha and the character "Cameron J", who she alleges is the baby daddy of her baby son "Treshaun" and (later in the series) "Harmony", the baby girl who she is pregnant with who she has already named. Cameron denies that he is the father of either of these children.
In 2016 Cameron J appears to have moved away from the Starrkeisha/ Cameron J "child support drama". Instead, he has published at least three Starrkeisha videos that feature multiple copies of Starrkeisha characters singing mashup of pop & Gospel songs and chanting cheerleader cheers. However, the discussion threads of those videos still include comments about the earlier Starrkeisha/Cameron J drama as well as the confrontations between Starrkeisha & her sisters (who, like Starrkeisha, are performed by female impersonators) and Cameron J's sister and her friend (who are performed by attractive young Black women.)
Click the link given above for Part I of this series to read more about Cameron J and the Starrkeisha videos.
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WHAT I MEAN BY "FACEBOOKING YOUTUBE COMMENT THREADS"
I coined the term "facebooking YouTube video comment threads" in July 24, 2016. What I mean by that term is posting comments on YouTube threads which include personal information, and/or seek personal information from other commenters. With regard to the Starrkeisha videos, "facebooking YouTube video comment threads" also means to personalize the content of those discussion threads and interact with or attempt to interact with Starrkeisha as though she is a real person.
Fighting Starrkeisha is the main way that a number of children writing on that Starkeisha video's discussion thread and on many subsequent Starrkeisha videos' discussion threads want to interact with Starrkeisha. This is probably heavily influenced by the January 2011 "Starrkeisha Fights" video.
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LIST OF THE STARKEISHA VIDEOS WHOSE DISCUSSION THREADS ARE FEATURED IN THIS POST
Note: This post doesn't include examples from all of these video discussion thread. However, I'm using the same numbering system that I used for Part III of this series.
Source #1 (S1) I Need My Child Support Money! - StarrKeisha/Cameron J., RandomStructureTV, Jan 15, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l--wmtJ7Vj8
"The newest edition to RSTV is not only ghetto, but quite trashy and uneducated. I wanted to create a character that can bring some ghetto fabulous flavor to my channel, StarrKeisha definitely does that! Lol!"
-snip-
This first video in the Starrkeisha series introduces the characters "Starrkeisha" and (baby daddy) Cameron J.
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Source #2 (S2) Starrkeisha Fights!, RandomStructureTV Uploaded on Mar 12, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl2TvW2aTq4
"Cameron J's sister Tori calls and confronts Starrkeisha about the lies she has been spreading. Starrkeisha recently called and accused Cameron J. of being her "baby's daddy." Tori knows this is a lie and is ready to fight to make Starrkeisha shut her mouth. Starrkeisha calls on her sisters ZoRonda' and Mercedes to fight Tori and her friend Tavia. - GHETTO STYLE!"
-snip-
Starkeisha and sisters lose the fight badly. After Tori and Tavi leave, Starrkeisha and sisters brag about how they won the fight. Starkeisha and her sisters are performed by three different female impersonators while Tori and Tavi are performed by two young Black women.
**
Source #3 (S3): Child Support Rap Battle - Starrkeisha VS Cameron J, RandomStructureTV, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFoZ0H4Cr7I
Starrkeisha tries to get child support from Cameron J for the child she alleges is his. Cameron J denies that the child is his.
**
Source #4 (S4): Starrkeisha's Car Trouble - @TheKingOfWeird, RandomStructureTV, Published on Aug 14, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1erpl_XAcIo
-snip-
"Drama" occurs when Starrkeisha and her sisters have car trouble.
**
Source #5 (S5): Pregnant Again - Starrkeisha & Cameron J (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV
Published on Dec 3, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqZyIbWEw0
"Starrkeisha is pregnant... AGAIN!"
-snip-
Starrkeisha calls Cameron J and tells him he is her baby daddy- again.
**
Source #6 (S6): Starrkeisha - I'mma Independent (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV, Published on Feb 6, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gee-_HTsUnI
Starkeisha sings and dances to a song about how she is independent (i.e. She doesn't need any financial support from anyone else. Of course, her actions regarding her "baby daddy" Cameron J contradicts these statements.
**
Source #7 (S7) The Starrkeisha Choir - Formation! @TheKingOfWeird #BeyHive, RandomStructureTV Published on Feb 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFEf5lfaeJk
Starrkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha sing a mashup of a Pop and a Gospel song.
**
Source #8 (S8) PETTY SONG - The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - @TheKingOfWeird, Randome Guye Published on Apr 3, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMU5C-fEXA8
Starkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha perform a cheer and dance to a mashup of current hit R&B and Pop songs.
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EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL COMMENTS POSTED BY CHILDREN ON STARRKEISHA DISCUSSION THREADS
Note: In this post "children" means ages 7-12 years old as that is the age range of children who mentioned their ages in the Starrkeisha discussion threads that I have read.
Comments are considered to have been written by children because
1. the screen photo accompanying the comment is a child's photo* and/or
2. the comment mentions that the person writing is a child and/or
3. the comment mentions the writer's age and/or
4. the comment mentions school
*All of the photographs of children that I have seen in these Starrkeisha videos are of children who appear to be Black. Most of these children are girls. Some screen photographs aren't those of the person writing the comment, as those commenters mentions that they are using their parent's YouTube account or someone else's YouTube account.
A number of commenters in this particular compilation have no screen photograph. In and of itself, that might mean that the person writing the comment is a child.
I've included some comments in this compilation even though they don't meet any of the criteria given above. I've done so because I think that the way those comments are written and their content suggest that the comments were written by children and not by teenagers or adults.
I didn't include examples of comments which consist of only the commenter's name, although it seems to me that it's likely that most if not all of those comments were posted by children.
This post doesn't include any examples of the numerous comments about whether whether Starrkeisha is a "boy" or a "girl" (as the commenters phrased it). Nor does this post include any comments questioning whether Cameron J is gay, or stating that Cameron J is gay. Also, no comments are included in this post questioning why Starrkeisha has a beard and a mustache. Nonetheless, I believe that all of those comments are from children. Some examples of those comments are found in the other pancocojams posts whose links are given above.
Some of these examples may be placed in more than one category.
I've given numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only. These comments may not be in consecutive order. Some comments in the reply sub-threads aren't included in this compilation.
WARNING: As is the case with a number of YouTube video discussion threads, the Starrkeisha video discussion threads that I have read contain profanity, the n word, and sexually explicit language. None of those examples are found below.
Comment Examples:
engaging in a personal conversation with Starrkeisha and/or Cameron J
1. Jamiya's Life, May 2016 (S5)
"she don't need your mony she can have my mony starrkeisha why are you acting like a girl with your blue wig and a blue coat"
**
Reply
2. HaleyHobbies, June 2016 (S5)
"Are you new? If you are then i can explain?"
**
Reply
3. Jamiya's Life, June 2016 (S5)
"my sister is only and second grade and she dosent really understand the meaning of commenting and making sense when she does sorry"
**
4. Briana Cook, June 2015 (S5)
"Oh Cameron you are. So cute cutter. Then the boy I like at school (This comment is followed by 18 smiley faces and 18 black cats emoticons.)
**
5. Maliyah Willis, 2015 (S6)
"Dear Starrkeisha are you a boy for act please text me back pleases pleases pleases hank you and like all of your videos and special the pregnet agin song me and my brother lisons to that song ever day now and we lison to it about three times a day now and thank you for all your alsome videos and just one more ? Did you really have a baby thanks very muc😎😎
**
Reply
6. Maliyah Willis, 2015 (S6)
"I meant much thank you🎅🎅🎅"
**
Reply
7. Maliyah Willis, 2015 (S6)
"And have a very nice Christmas 🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅"
**
8. TheLucky FrenchFrie, 2015 (S6)
"yes he is a boy but acts like a girl for views his name is cameron j"
**
9. Random Guy, 2015 (S6)
"No he isn't pregnant dumbass. And he is a boy. And he won't text back. Lol"
**
Reply
10. "Maliyah Willis, 2015 (S6)
"Ok well sorry about that"
**
Reply
11. Random Guy, 2015 (S6)
"Yeah just saying"
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sharing identifying contact information with other commenters and/or requesting identifying information from other commenters
12. Jada Ford, 2015 (S1)
"My kik username is hello_ki19"
**
13. Cortney Darby, 2015 (S2)
"Call me at [phone number deleted] thank you
Now"
**
14. Cam Cowan, 2015 (S6)
"Maleena its cameron
I changed my kik so kik me
Cam_to_smooth
Or txt me _______" [I deleted the phone number that is included in this comment]
**
15. Baby Nae, 2012 (S6)
"2 f keke be my friend on gmail @ ____" [I deleted the gmail address that is included in this comment]
-snip-
"Keke" is one of Starrkeisha’s nicknames.
**
16. Armanie Wilson, 2012 (S6)
"Follow on iinstagram @ ____"[I deleted the Instagram address that was included in this comment]
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trying to identify another commenter
17. Ashley Mcelrath, 2014
"Starrkeisha is a boy but his funny"
**
Reply
18. Ezaraih Love, 2015
"+Ashley Mcelrath are you treviona sister"
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mentioning your name within that comment and/or signing your name at the end of your comment
19. David Mora, 2015 (S5)
"i love your song sharkiesha i allmostlisten to it everyday oh and im using my dads acount but my name is sofia"
**
20. Kenny, June 2016 (S4)
"I'm a little girl you just like me and my momma my name Kiki I'm a little I'm a girl bad but I can show you my favorite I be watching those show"
**
21. harmony kelly, 2013 (S5)
"my name is Harmony!!!! lol
**
Reply
22. harmony kelly, 2013 (S5)
"Starrkeisha is not my momma for a fact if people tinking it"
-snip-
In this video Starrkeisha said that the baby she is pregnant with is a girl and she plans to name her "Harmony".
**
23. Shaey Ivy, 2013 (S5)
"My name is shatrice and im feeling some type of way
Synnecia Tucker
Synne"
**
24. Cameron Saddler, 2015 (S6)
"Star don't believe those haters and if you want say haters gonna hate and my name is Cameron saddler and money is on your mind :-) :-) :-) :-)!!!"
**
25. zaria wiley, 2013 (S6)
"love you starkeisha its yo girl ZaeZae"
**
26. ZyQuirya Garrett, 2015 (S6)
"girl I just love you Zyquirya Garrett
****
sharing other personal information such as your age or your birthday
27. BTW - BackyardTrampolineWrestling, 2015 (S6)
Hey, shake the haters off. Just forget about them and be as silly and funny as you want. You are very good at making people happy so you should embrace that. And i would love you to do all that and keep making YouTube Vidios. 💖
**
Reply
28. BTW - BackyardTrampolineWrestling, 2015 (S6)
Oh, and by the way inm 8 years old and i was born in 2005 the , 19th of october.
**
29. ryan kinnel, 2012 (S5)
"Can the baby be born on Sep. 14 plz. That would be the best birthday present EVER. It would mean soo much"
-snip-
"The baby" refers to the baby that the fictional character Starrkeisha is pregnant with.
**
30. Passion Lewis, 2015 (S2)
"This is a 9 year old and about to be 10 Jan 3 2015"
****
asking other commenters about their social media information, asking to be their friend, or asking for other communication with them
31. Latoya Moon, May 2016 (S2)
"hi boo"
**
Reply
32. Javrious West, May 2016
"I want to fax"
**
33. Bretny Poynter, May 2016
"ha be my friend"
**
34. MissTutorialQueen, 2013 (S5)
“Denarius are you on google plus”
-snip-
This was written in response to a comment from Denarius about the video.
**
Reply
35. MissTutorialQueen, 2013 (S5)
“Hey denarius”
****
asking other commenters to communicate with them on other social media sites or do other activities with them
36. [name removed by request], April 2016 (S2)
"i need friends thatll make random videos like this with me (followed by one emoticon).
**
37. raquel simmons, 2015 (S5)
"ikr +Amelia Martin AND INBOX ME TOO +Amelia Martin"
****
requesting further communication with Cameron J or with Starrkeisha and/or requesting to meet with Cameron J or with Starrkeisha
38. Maliyah Willis, 2014 (S6)
"Dear Starrkeisha are you a boy for act please text me back pleases pleases pleases hank you and like all of your videos and special the pregnet agin song me and my brother lisons to that song ever day now and we lison to it about three times a day now and thank you for all your alsome videos and just one more ? Did you really have a baby thanks very muc(comment followed by two emoticons)"
**
39. kailah haynie, 2015 (S6)
"Starrkeisha can I be on one of Ur videos plzzzzzzz"
**
40. Daija Edwards, March 2016 (S5)
"so he said I need to get you a phone call please give me a call I love your videos"
****
engaging in conversation that has nothing to do with the content of this video or of other Starrkeisha videos
41. Taylor Fulsom, June 2016 (S2)
"Crystal Marie I'm on YouTube right now"
**
42. King Prince, March 2016 (S2)
"Athens ringtone was lowkey fye🔥🔥"
**
43. Azariah Hutson, June 2016 (S2)
"I sat in my room and My das acme in and david what the hello and the we spend the night anthony all the vidoes"
**
44. Sharrnita Bonds, 2012 (S5)
"What up Nita. Fancy meeting you here. You like this joint? It's hilarious"
****
threatening to fight Starrkeisha and/or getting into arguments with other commenters
45. Kanayah Porter, March 2016 (S2)
"If you'll do stop.I am going to beat you up meet me at 312 album and avenue.[This comment is followed by numerous emoticons including thumbs down images.)
-snip-
This comment and others about fighting Starrkeisha refer to the 2011 "Starrkeisha fight video". Comments about fighting Starrkeisha are found throughout the discussion threads for other Starrkeisha videos up to an including the 2016 Starrkeisha Cheer video. These comments testify to how a lot of children think that the fictional characters in these videos are real.
**
46. Terrizena Hill, December 2015 (S2)
"yiu did not even win and my cousin will beat you up"
**
47. Nico Thomas, May 2016 (S2)
"oh so you can beat a girl up so come hit me then i live in Louisiana on Sydney road a blue trailer."
**
48. Betty Mcnair, 2015 (S2) [The year and video source is for all the comments in this sub-thread]
"If this is how you act in other videos when fighting I'm sorry honey boo boo just stop fighting I'm very sorry honey boo boo but like just before you get beat up camera cuz you know that you going to get beat up so like you need to just stop before you get beat up because you going to get beat up you know that you going to get beat we all know that .GOD BLESS YO FACE this is A 9 year old girl"
**
Reply
49. Jashon Holmes
"BTW u make no type of sense and its all fake and its just entertainment for people that know its a joke ur just taken it mad seriously"
**
Reply
50. Betty Mcnair
"I am just nine in a haft
**
51. Betty Mcnair
"Pleas shut up pleas and thank you and i dont care who you are check yourself"
**
Reply
52. Egypt Hearn
"+Betty Mcnair make me"
**
Reply
53. Egypt Hearn
"Check ur spelling thx☺☺☺"
**
Reply
54. Keshia Bloxton
"Her spelling was right"
**
55. Egypt Hearn
"I was talking about how she spelled PLEASE. So how about you my your business thx"
**
Reply
56. Keshia Bloxton
"Well my bad"
**
Reply
57. Keshia Bloxton
"Sorry"
**
Reply
58. Egypt Hearn
"Its ok"
**
Reply
59. Keshia Bloxton
"Ok"
**
60. Tyreece Ramos, 2014 (S6)
"How you talking bout broke and ashy look at them knees abd who cant fight come fight me and show how i break it down"
****
threatening to fight someone else
61. latrice jackson, 2014 (S5)
"Nakasha Anderson I want to fight you meet me around mosbey court this is my address 5644 tomorrow at 3:00 am oh yeah yall she about to get dragged"
****
indicating that you have a personal relationship with Starrkeisha, or with Cameron J, and/or their families
62. Kalani Noble, 2015 (S6)
"well her neice go to my school and her name is Janiah and if yall seen the baby momma video Janiah said she made it up and he just sung it"
**
63. Trinidy Thornton, 2014 (S5)
"I know his brother he goes to my school"
-snip-
"His brother" appears to refer to Cameron J's brother.
****
EDITOR'S COMMENT
The internet is now so easily accessible via mobile phone. However, children appear to be getting very little guidance from adults regarding when and how to be social on social media. They should know that sharing contact information or asking to be friends with anyone online is dangerous and should never be done.
Here's a link to a previous pancocojams post that I wrote about children on the internet: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/children-posting-on-youtube-discussion.html
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Revised November 5, 2019
This is Part IV of a four part series on "Starrkeisha" videos.
*Update: June 24, 2016 2:10 PM. - I've gone back & forth with this, but I've decided that Part IV will focus on the subject that I'm most interested in regarding the comment threads of Starrkeisha videos. I call that subject "Kids Commenting On YouTube: The Facebooking YouTube Comment Threads".
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/child-support-rap-battle-starrkeisha-vs.html for Part I of this series. Part I showcases a November 2011 "Starrkeisha" video "Child Support Rap Battle - Starrkeisha VS Cameron J".
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-starrkeisha-cheer-squad-petty-cheer.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases two videos of "The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad" (The "Petty" Cheer).
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/starrkeisha-imma-independent-my.html for Part III of this series. Part III of this series showcases the Starrkeisha video "Imma Independent" and includes my analysis of writing styles of selected comments that are found in discussion threads of eight Starrkeisha videos.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Cameron J, the developer of the "Starrkeisha" character and the producer of this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT STARRKEISHA VIDEOS
"Starrkeisha" is a fictional Black female character who was conceptualized and is performed by Black male vocalist, songwriter, and comedic writer/actor Cameron J. Henderson. The Starrkeisha videos are aired on Cameron J's YouTube channel RandomStructureTV. The first Starrkeisha video entitled "I Need My Child Support Money!- StarrKeisha/Cameron J" was uploaded on YouTube on Jan 15, 2011.
Most of the videos that I've come across from 2011-2015 focus on the relationship drama between the ratchet (ghetto, trashy) character Starkeisha and the character "Cameron J", who she alleges is the baby daddy of her baby son "Treshaun" and (later in the series) "Harmony", the baby girl who she is pregnant with who she has already named. Cameron denies that he is the father of either of these children.
In 2016 Cameron J appears to have moved away from the Starrkeisha/ Cameron J "child support drama". Instead, he has published at least three Starrkeisha videos that feature multiple copies of Starrkeisha characters singing mashup of pop & Gospel songs and chanting cheerleader cheers. However, the discussion threads of those videos still include comments about the earlier Starrkeisha/Cameron J drama as well as the confrontations between Starrkeisha & her sisters (who, like Starrkeisha, are performed by female impersonators) and Cameron J's sister and her friend (who are performed by attractive young Black women.)
Click the link given above for Part I of this series to read more about Cameron J and the Starrkeisha videos.
****
WHAT I MEAN BY "FACEBOOKING YOUTUBE COMMENT THREADS"
I coined the term "facebooking YouTube video comment threads" in July 24, 2016. What I mean by that term is posting comments on YouTube threads which include personal information, and/or seek personal information from other commenters. With regard to the Starrkeisha videos, "facebooking YouTube video comment threads" also means to personalize the content of those discussion threads and interact with or attempt to interact with Starrkeisha as though she is a real person.
Fighting Starrkeisha is the main way that a number of children writing on that Starkeisha video's discussion thread and on many subsequent Starrkeisha videos' discussion threads want to interact with Starrkeisha. This is probably heavily influenced by the January 2011 "Starrkeisha Fights" video.
****
LIST OF THE STARKEISHA VIDEOS WHOSE DISCUSSION THREADS ARE FEATURED IN THIS POST
Note: This post doesn't include examples from all of these video discussion thread. However, I'm using the same numbering system that I used for Part III of this series.
Source #1 (S1) I Need My Child Support Money! - StarrKeisha/Cameron J., RandomStructureTV, Jan 15, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l--wmtJ7Vj8
"The newest edition to RSTV is not only ghetto, but quite trashy and uneducated. I wanted to create a character that can bring some ghetto fabulous flavor to my channel, StarrKeisha definitely does that! Lol!"
-snip-
This first video in the Starrkeisha series introduces the characters "Starrkeisha" and (baby daddy) Cameron J.
****
Source #2 (S2) Starrkeisha Fights!, RandomStructureTV Uploaded on Mar 12, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl2TvW2aTq4
"Cameron J's sister Tori calls and confronts Starrkeisha about the lies she has been spreading. Starrkeisha recently called and accused Cameron J. of being her "baby's daddy." Tori knows this is a lie and is ready to fight to make Starrkeisha shut her mouth. Starrkeisha calls on her sisters ZoRonda' and Mercedes to fight Tori and her friend Tavia. - GHETTO STYLE!"
-snip-
Starkeisha and sisters lose the fight badly. After Tori and Tavi leave, Starrkeisha and sisters brag about how they won the fight. Starkeisha and her sisters are performed by three different female impersonators while Tori and Tavi are performed by two young Black women.
**
Source #3 (S3): Child Support Rap Battle - Starrkeisha VS Cameron J, RandomStructureTV, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFoZ0H4Cr7I
Starrkeisha tries to get child support from Cameron J for the child she alleges is his. Cameron J denies that the child is his.
**
Source #4 (S4): Starrkeisha's Car Trouble - @TheKingOfWeird, RandomStructureTV, Published on Aug 14, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1erpl_XAcIo
-snip-
"Drama" occurs when Starrkeisha and her sisters have car trouble.
**
Source #5 (S5): Pregnant Again - Starrkeisha & Cameron J (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV
Published on Dec 3, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqZyIbWEw0
"Starrkeisha is pregnant... AGAIN!"
-snip-
Starrkeisha calls Cameron J and tells him he is her baby daddy- again.
**
Source #6 (S6): Starrkeisha - I'mma Independent (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV, Published on Feb 6, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gee-_HTsUnI
Starkeisha sings and dances to a song about how she is independent (i.e. She doesn't need any financial support from anyone else. Of course, her actions regarding her "baby daddy" Cameron J contradicts these statements.
**
Source #7 (S7) The Starrkeisha Choir - Formation! @TheKingOfWeird #BeyHive, RandomStructureTV Published on Feb 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFEf5lfaeJk
Starrkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha sing a mashup of a Pop and a Gospel song.
**
Source #8 (S8) PETTY SONG - The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - @TheKingOfWeird, Randome Guye Published on Apr 3, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMU5C-fEXA8
Starkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha perform a cheer and dance to a mashup of current hit R&B and Pop songs.
****
EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL COMMENTS POSTED BY CHILDREN ON STARRKEISHA DISCUSSION THREADS
Note: In this post "children" means ages 7-12 years old as that is the age range of children who mentioned their ages in the Starrkeisha discussion threads that I have read.
Comments are considered to have been written by children because
1. the screen photo accompanying the comment is a child's photo* and/or
2. the comment mentions that the person writing is a child and/or
3. the comment mentions the writer's age and/or
4. the comment mentions school
*All of the photographs of children that I have seen in these Starrkeisha videos are of children who appear to be Black. Most of these children are girls. Some screen photographs aren't those of the person writing the comment, as those commenters mentions that they are using their parent's YouTube account or someone else's YouTube account.
A number of commenters in this particular compilation have no screen photograph. In and of itself, that might mean that the person writing the comment is a child.
I've included some comments in this compilation even though they don't meet any of the criteria given above. I've done so because I think that the way those comments are written and their content suggest that the comments were written by children and not by teenagers or adults.
I didn't include examples of comments which consist of only the commenter's name, although it seems to me that it's likely that most if not all of those comments were posted by children.
This post doesn't include any examples of the numerous comments about whether whether Starrkeisha is a "boy" or a "girl" (as the commenters phrased it). Nor does this post include any comments questioning whether Cameron J is gay, or stating that Cameron J is gay. Also, no comments are included in this post questioning why Starrkeisha has a beard and a mustache. Nonetheless, I believe that all of those comments are from children. Some examples of those comments are found in the other pancocojams posts whose links are given above.
Some of these examples may be placed in more than one category.
I've given numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only. These comments may not be in consecutive order. Some comments in the reply sub-threads aren't included in this compilation.
WARNING: As is the case with a number of YouTube video discussion threads, the Starrkeisha video discussion threads that I have read contain profanity, the n word, and sexually explicit language. None of those examples are found below.
Comment Examples:
engaging in a personal conversation with Starrkeisha and/or Cameron J
1. Jamiya's Life, May 2016 (S5)
"she don't need your mony she can have my mony starrkeisha why are you acting like a girl with your blue wig and a blue coat"
**
Reply
2. HaleyHobbies, June 2016 (S5)
"Are you new? If you are then i can explain?"
**
Reply
3. Jamiya's Life, June 2016 (S5)
"my sister is only and second grade and she dosent really understand the meaning of commenting and making sense when she does sorry"
**
4. Briana Cook, June 2015 (S5)
"Oh Cameron you are. So cute cutter. Then the boy I like at school (This comment is followed by 18 smiley faces and 18 black cats emoticons.)
**
5. Maliyah Willis, 2015 (S6)
"Dear Starrkeisha are you a boy for act please text me back pleases pleases pleases hank you and like all of your videos and special the pregnet agin song me and my brother lisons to that song ever day now and we lison to it about three times a day now and thank you for all your alsome videos and just one more ? Did you really have a baby thanks very muc😎😎
**
Reply
6. Maliyah Willis, 2015 (S6)
"I meant much thank you🎅🎅🎅"
**
Reply
7. Maliyah Willis, 2015 (S6)
"And have a very nice Christmas 🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅"
**
8. TheLucky FrenchFrie, 2015 (S6)
"yes he is a boy but acts like a girl for views his name is cameron j"
**
9. Random Guy, 2015 (S6)
"No he isn't pregnant dumbass. And he is a boy. And he won't text back. Lol"
**
Reply
10. "Maliyah Willis, 2015 (S6)
"Ok well sorry about that"
**
Reply
11. Random Guy, 2015 (S6)
"Yeah just saying"
****
sharing identifying contact information with other commenters and/or requesting identifying information from other commenters
12. Jada Ford, 2015 (S1)
"My kik username is hello_ki19"
**
13. Cortney Darby, 2015 (S2)
"Call me at [phone number deleted] thank you
Now"
**
14. Cam Cowan, 2015 (S6)
"Maleena its cameron
I changed my kik so kik me
Cam_to_smooth
Or txt me _______" [I deleted the phone number that is included in this comment]
**
15. Baby Nae, 2012 (S6)
"2 f keke be my friend on gmail @ ____" [I deleted the gmail address that is included in this comment]
-snip-
"Keke" is one of Starrkeisha’s nicknames.
**
16. Armanie Wilson, 2012 (S6)
"Follow on iinstagram @ ____"[I deleted the Instagram address that was included in this comment]
****
trying to identify another commenter
17. Ashley Mcelrath, 2014
"Starrkeisha is a boy but his funny"
**
Reply
18. Ezaraih Love, 2015
"+Ashley Mcelrath are you treviona sister"
****
mentioning your name within that comment and/or signing your name at the end of your comment
19. David Mora, 2015 (S5)
"i love your song sharkiesha i allmostlisten to it everyday oh and im using my dads acount but my name is sofia"
**
20. Kenny, June 2016 (S4)
"I'm a little girl you just like me and my momma my name Kiki I'm a little I'm a girl bad but I can show you my favorite I be watching those show"
**
21. harmony kelly, 2013 (S5)
"my name is Harmony!!!! lol
**
Reply
22. harmony kelly, 2013 (S5)
"Starrkeisha is not my momma for a fact if people tinking it"
-snip-
In this video Starrkeisha said that the baby she is pregnant with is a girl and she plans to name her "Harmony".
**
23. Shaey Ivy, 2013 (S5)
"My name is shatrice and im feeling some type of way
Synnecia Tucker
Synne"
**
24. Cameron Saddler, 2015 (S6)
"Star don't believe those haters and if you want say haters gonna hate and my name is Cameron saddler and money is on your mind :-) :-) :-) :-)!!!"
**
25. zaria wiley, 2013 (S6)
"love you starkeisha its yo girl ZaeZae"
**
26. ZyQuirya Garrett, 2015 (S6)
"girl I just love you Zyquirya Garrett
****
sharing other personal information such as your age or your birthday
27. BTW - BackyardTrampolineWrestling, 2015 (S6)
Hey, shake the haters off. Just forget about them and be as silly and funny as you want. You are very good at making people happy so you should embrace that. And i would love you to do all that and keep making YouTube Vidios. 💖
**
Reply
28. BTW - BackyardTrampolineWrestling, 2015 (S6)
Oh, and by the way inm 8 years old and i was born in 2005 the , 19th of october.
**
29. ryan kinnel, 2012 (S5)
"Can the baby be born on Sep. 14 plz. That would be the best birthday present EVER. It would mean soo much"
-snip-
"The baby" refers to the baby that the fictional character Starrkeisha is pregnant with.
**
30. Passion Lewis, 2015 (S2)
"This is a 9 year old and about to be 10 Jan 3 2015"
****
asking other commenters about their social media information, asking to be their friend, or asking for other communication with them
31. Latoya Moon, May 2016 (S2)
"hi boo"
**
Reply
32. Javrious West, May 2016
"I want to fax"
**
33. Bretny Poynter, May 2016
"ha be my friend"
**
34. MissTutorialQueen, 2013 (S5)
“Denarius are you on google plus”
-snip-
This was written in response to a comment from Denarius about the video.
**
Reply
35. MissTutorialQueen, 2013 (S5)
“Hey denarius”
****
asking other commenters to communicate with them on other social media sites or do other activities with them
36. [name removed by request], April 2016 (S2)
"i need friends thatll make random videos like this with me (followed by one emoticon).
**
37. raquel simmons, 2015 (S5)
"ikr +Amelia Martin AND INBOX ME TOO +Amelia Martin"
****
requesting further communication with Cameron J or with Starrkeisha and/or requesting to meet with Cameron J or with Starrkeisha
38. Maliyah Willis, 2014 (S6)
"Dear Starrkeisha are you a boy for act please text me back pleases pleases pleases hank you and like all of your videos and special the pregnet agin song me and my brother lisons to that song ever day now and we lison to it about three times a day now and thank you for all your alsome videos and just one more ? Did you really have a baby thanks very muc(comment followed by two emoticons)"
**
39. kailah haynie, 2015 (S6)
"Starrkeisha can I be on one of Ur videos plzzzzzzz"
**
40. Daija Edwards, March 2016 (S5)
"so he said I need to get you a phone call please give me a call I love your videos"
****
engaging in conversation that has nothing to do with the content of this video or of other Starrkeisha videos
41. Taylor Fulsom, June 2016 (S2)
"Crystal Marie I'm on YouTube right now"
**
42. King Prince, March 2016 (S2)
"Athens ringtone was lowkey fye🔥🔥"
**
43. Azariah Hutson, June 2016 (S2)
"I sat in my room and My das acme in and david what the hello and the we spend the night anthony all the vidoes"
**
44. Sharrnita Bonds, 2012 (S5)
"What up Nita. Fancy meeting you here. You like this joint? It's hilarious"
****
threatening to fight Starrkeisha and/or getting into arguments with other commenters
45. Kanayah Porter, March 2016 (S2)
"If you'll do stop.I am going to beat you up meet me at 312 album and avenue.[This comment is followed by numerous emoticons including thumbs down images.)
-snip-
This comment and others about fighting Starrkeisha refer to the 2011 "Starrkeisha fight video". Comments about fighting Starrkeisha are found throughout the discussion threads for other Starrkeisha videos up to an including the 2016 Starrkeisha Cheer video. These comments testify to how a lot of children think that the fictional characters in these videos are real.
**
46. Terrizena Hill, December 2015 (S2)
"yiu did not even win and my cousin will beat you up"
**
47. Nico Thomas, May 2016 (S2)
"oh so you can beat a girl up so come hit me then i live in Louisiana on Sydney road a blue trailer."
**
48. Betty Mcnair, 2015 (S2) [The year and video source is for all the comments in this sub-thread]
"If this is how you act in other videos when fighting I'm sorry honey boo boo just stop fighting I'm very sorry honey boo boo but like just before you get beat up camera cuz you know that you going to get beat up so like you need to just stop before you get beat up because you going to get beat up you know that you going to get beat we all know that .GOD BLESS YO FACE this is A 9 year old girl"
**
Reply
49. Jashon Holmes
"BTW u make no type of sense and its all fake and its just entertainment for people that know its a joke ur just taken it mad seriously"
**
Reply
50. Betty Mcnair
"I am just nine in a haft
**
51. Betty Mcnair
"Pleas shut up pleas and thank you and i dont care who you are check yourself"
**
Reply
52. Egypt Hearn
"+Betty Mcnair make me"
**
Reply
53. Egypt Hearn
"Check ur spelling thx☺☺☺"
**
Reply
54. Keshia Bloxton
"Her spelling was right"
**
55. Egypt Hearn
"I was talking about how she spelled PLEASE. So how about you my your business thx"
**
Reply
56. Keshia Bloxton
"Well my bad"
**
Reply
57. Keshia Bloxton
"Sorry"
**
Reply
58. Egypt Hearn
"Its ok"
**
Reply
59. Keshia Bloxton
"Ok"
**
60. Tyreece Ramos, 2014 (S6)
"How you talking bout broke and ashy look at them knees abd who cant fight come fight me and show how i break it down"
****
threatening to fight someone else
61. latrice jackson, 2014 (S5)
"Nakasha Anderson I want to fight you meet me around mosbey court this is my address 5644 tomorrow at 3:00 am oh yeah yall she about to get dragged"
****
indicating that you have a personal relationship with Starrkeisha, or with Cameron J, and/or their families
62. Kalani Noble, 2015 (S6)
"well her neice go to my school and her name is Janiah and if yall seen the baby momma video Janiah said she made it up and he just sung it"
**
63. Trinidy Thornton, 2014 (S5)
"I know his brother he goes to my school"
-snip-
"His brother" appears to refer to Cameron J's brother.
****
EDITOR'S COMMENT
The internet is now so easily accessible via mobile phone. However, children appear to be getting very little guidance from adults regarding when and how to be social on social media. They should know that sharing contact information or asking to be friends with anyone online is dangerous and should never be done.
Here's a link to a previous pancocojams post that I wrote about children on the internet: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/children-posting-on-youtube-discussion.html
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Starrkeisha "Imma Independent" & My Analysis of Types Of Comments On Starrkeisha Discussion Threads
Edited by Azizi Powell
My initial plan was to share my analysis of the characteristics and content of selected comments that were posted by pre-teen children (ages 7-12 years) on several discussion threads of Starrkeisha videos. "Starrkeisha" is Black comedic female character who was conceptualized and is performed by vocalist and female impersonator Cameron J.
However, as I prepared to write that post I found out that
1. It was sometimes difficult to determine whether commenters were children or not.
and
2. Some of the characteristics that I believe were characteristics of children's comments were also characteristics of teens' and adults' comments.
As a result of these conclusions, I have amended my initial plan and decided to present this post about certain characteristics of comments that I noticed in discussion threads of several Starrkeisha videos. I hasten to say that I've noticed these same characteristics-to the same extent or a greater or lesser extent-in many other YouTube discussion threads for African American Hip-Hop/R&B music.
This post is Part III of a four part series on Starrkeisha videos. This post showcases the Starrkeisha video "Imma Independent" and provides my analysis of some of the characteristics of comments that are written in eight Starrkeisha videos' discussion threads.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/child-support-rap-battle-starrkeisha-vs.html for Part I of that series. Information about Cameron J, the developer of the Starrkeisha character and the actor who performs that character, is found in that post along with links to the other posts in this series.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/facebooking-youtube-video-comment.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV focuses on what I call "Facebooking YouTube Comment Threads: Kids Commenting On Starrkeisha Videos' Discussion Threads." Examples of those "Facebook type" comments from Starrkeisha discussion threads are featured in that post.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Cameron J for conceptualizing and performing the Starrkeisha character. Thanks to all others who are associated with these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of the video that is showcased in this post.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Starrkeisha - I'mma Independent (@TheKingOfWeird)
RandomStructureTV Published on Feb 6, 2013
Don't forget to click the thumbs up! Leave Starr a comment! Share on FB, Twitter, etc.
http://www.Twitter.com/TheKingOfWeird
****
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VIDEO SOURCES OF THESE SELECTED COMMENTS
These comments are gleaned from eight Starrkeisha videos which were published in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016. These Starkeisha video discussion threads are the only ones that I've read in their entirety or almost in their entirety.
These examples document how many comments in these discussion threads are written. Post IV provides examples of what many comments in those same discussion threads are about (their subject matter).
This analysis doesn't purport to cover every category of comment that is found in those videos' discussion threads. That said, I believe that the types of comments that are included in this post are representative to a greater or lesser degree of the types of comments in other Starrkeisha videos. And I think that this is particularly the case regarding the discussion threads for the Starrkeisha videos before 2016 when it appears that their producer/writer, actor Cameron J focused on the ongoing saga of the relationship between Starrkeisha and "baby daddy" Cameron J.
The title, publisher's name, and publishing date of each Starrkeisha video which served as the source for comments that are featured in this post are given in chronological order based on that publishing date, with the earliest dated video given first. Those videos are cited as Source 1, Source 2, and so forth. Comments include the commenter's name and date (usually the year) the comment was published.
****
LIST OF THE STARKEISHA VIDEOS WHOSE DISCUSSION THREADS ARE FEATURED IN THIS POST
Source #1 (S1) I Need My Child Support Money! - StarrKeisha/Cameron J., RandomStructureTV, Jan 15, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l--wmtJ7Vj8
"The newest edition to RSTV is not only ghetto, but quite trashy and uneducated. I wanted to create a character that can bring some ghetto fabulous flavor to my channel, StarrKeisha definitely does that! Lol!"
-snip-
This first video in the Starrkeisha series introduces the characters "Starrkeisha" and (baby daddy) Cameron J.
****
Source #2 (S2) Starrkeisha Fights!, RandomStructureTV Uploaded on Mar 12, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl2TvW2aTq4
"Cameron J's sister Tori calls and confronts Starrkeisha about the lies she has been spreading. Starrkeisha recently called and accused Cameron J. of being her "baby's daddy." Tori knows this is a lie and is ready to fight to make Starrkeisha shut her mouth. Starrkeisha calls on her sisters ZoRonda' and Mercedes to fight Tori and her friend Tavia. - GHETTO STYLE!"
-snip-
Starkeisha and sisters lose the fight badly. After Tori and Tavi leave, Starrkeisha and sisters brag about how they won the fight. Starkeisha and her sisters are performed by three different female impersonators while Tori and Tavi are performed by two young Black women.
**
Source #3 (S3): Child Support Rap Battle - Starrkeisha VS Cameron J, RandomStructureTV, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFoZ0H4Cr7I
Starrkeisha tries to get child support from Cameron J for the child she alleges is his. Cameron J denies that the child is his.
**
Source #4 (S4): Starrkeisha's Car Trouble - @TheKingOfWeird, RandomStructureTV, Published on Aug 14, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1erpl_XAcIo
-snip-
"Drama" occurs when Starrkeisha and her sisters have car trouble.
**
Source #5 (S5): Pregnant Again - Starrkeisha & Cameron J (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV
Published on Dec 3, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqZyIbWEw0
"Starrkeisha is pregnant... AGAIN!"
-snip-
Starrkeisha calls Cameron J and tells him he is her baby daddy- again.
**
Souce #6 (S6): Starrkeisha - I'mma Independent (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV, Published on Feb 6, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gee-_HTsUnI
Starkeisha sings and dances to a song about how she is independent (i.e. She doesn't need any financial support from anyone else. Of course, her actions regarding her "baby daddy" Cameron J contradicts these statements.
**
Source #7 (S7) The Starrkeisha Choir - Formation! @TheKingOfWeird #BeyHive, RandomStructureTV Published on Feb 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFEf5lfaeJk
Starrkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha sing a mashup of a Pop and a Gospel song.
**
Source #8 (S8) PETTY SONG - The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - @TheKingOfWeird, Randome Guye Published on Apr 3, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMU5C-fEXA8
Starkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha perform a cheer and dance to a mashup of current hit R&B and Pop songs.
****
HOW THESE SELECTED COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN
Here are some ways that comments are written in various Starrkeisha discussion threads. This list isn't meant to be comprehensive. For example, it doesn't include comments that are written in standard English (comments that include standard [mainstream] American spelling, punctuation, and capitalization) as well as comments that include words that are elongated by adding vowels (such as "I loooove this").
These "categories" are given in no particular order. Notice that many of these comments could be placed in more than one category that is given below.
I've given numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only.
WARNING: As is the case with a number of YouTube video discussion threads, the Starrkeisha video discussion threads that I have read contain profanity, the n word, and sexually explicit language. None of those examples are found below.
Documentation Of Selected Comment Examples:
examples of little or no capitalization or punctuation or inconsistent use of capitalization or punctuation
1. Suzzanne Freeman, June 2016 (S3)
"yall two are so so funny I'm about to choke laughing and for you starkeisha leave the man alone he right your wig rached and your jacket is to small I watch yall videos all the time."
**
edgar worthen, April 2016 (S4)
2. "I love your videos make some more that is awesome my name is Elaine what's your name and Grete I love your videos and makemore videos⑤♥♥O:-) missing I am 10"
**
3. Jamiya's Life, May 2016 (S5)
"she don't need your mony she can have my mony starrkeisha why are you acting like a girl with your blue wig and a blue coat"
**
4. Queen Savannah, June 2016, (S8)
"its a challenge n everybody have to do it its all over Instagram (two emoticons)i did it but its to embarrassing to post (comment followed by three smiley emoticons)"
**
examples of African American Vernacular English (grammar- "be")
6. Tori Alexander, June 1016 (S5)
"girl he be tripin all mans do get a dna girl he know he want u he lien he love u honey dont cry he better make it rain"
**
7. Joyce Mackey2 years ago (S6)
"I Be Tryna Figure Out, How He Get Into Those Jackets" (followed by a smile pictorial)
**
8. alexus rodriguez, 2013 (S6)
"u need to mqake more video wit starrkeisha cause she be killen it i aint gonna lie u killet it"
**
9. missbri356, June 1016 (S7)
"He be killing it lol had to hit thst like and subscribe button 👌🏽😉"
**
10. Destiny Patterson, June 2016 (S2)
"this is really how girls be acting when they get beat they won.....(followed by 11 smiley face emoticon)
****
examples of African American Vernacular English (vocabulary)
11. Rich Kidd, 2013 (S1)
"I can't believe this is the first S to the T A double R K E to the I to the S H A video.... OMG.. Cameron keep it up.. Thanks for all of your videos. They SERIOUSLY crack me up.."
**
12. Erykah Tomlinson, 2012 (S2)
Oh Lawwwddd !!!!
**
13. K_slayz_4_dayz2 months ago (S2)
"YOU WON? YOU WON?! Man the only thing you threw was shade"
**
14. Princess Kenya, June 2016 (S4)
"Don't talk smack to nobody that's going to help you!!"
**
15. Trinitee Bryant, April 2016 (S3)
"He told her off with the quickness man like boyyyyyy. Cameron is cute though"
**
16. Cameron Saddler, 2015 (S6)
"Star don't believe those haters and if you want say haters gonna hate and my name is Cameron saddler and money is on your mind :-) :-) :-) :-)!!!"
**
17. Kae J, 2013 (S6)
I'm finna be singing that song and making it famous
**
18. Kimmy Jones, June 2016 (S7)
"Now this is fire😂😂🔥🔥🔥"
**
Reply
19. Joimyka Ward, June 2016 (S7)
"i feel u it is they can sing."
**
20. Mimi 1026, June 2016 (S7)
"oh lawd I died"
**
21. Adriane Russ, June 2016, (S8)
"I love the beat that thing go hard"
**
22. Ariyah Roundtree, June 2016 (S8)
"they killt it 💯💯💯💯💯💯"
**
23. Amyah Hoover, June 2016 (S8)
"They slayed that 24/7" (comment followed by four smiley face emoticons)
****
examples of comments with emoticons or other pictorial representations and/or emoticons/pictorial representations being the entire comment
24. Keaisha Franklin, May 2016 (S2)
"You did not win you got BEAT starr👅👅👅😃😃😄😄😀😀😊😊☺😉😜😝😣😁"
**
25. Krys'dionna Brantley, December 2015 (S4)
"🏢🏫🏠🏣🏤🏥🏦🏧🏨🏩🏬🚌🚙🚘🚗🚼🚼🚹🚺🚻⏳⌛"
**
26. Lanay Wheeler, June 2016 (S5)
"💜💜💜💙💙💙💙💚💚💚💛💛💛"
**
27. Sia Tanuvasa, June 2016 (S7)
"This just gives me so much happiness lol🔥🔥🔥"
**
28. Debra Woods, June 2016 (S7)
"mic💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩👩❤️💋👩👨❤️💋👨💏🖕👎🤘💔💣🎓🐅🦃🦂🌿🍍🌯🍬🏜🏰🎢🚽🛀🌡🌪🌊🎀🔕🔇🕯💰🔗🔫🚺🚹🚼🚯🚭🚳🚫🚱🚷✖❌❎💲2⃣5⃣"
****
29. examples of internet/text messaging acronyms and abbreviations (internet slang)
Mekyah Dunbar, 2013 (S1)
i loveded u lol u is2 much
**
30. shirley roman, April 2016 (S3)
"no lie this guy is so funny made my stress go away a bit lmfao"
**
31. kat3lynnn_, June 2016 (S7)
"OMG this is legit my new theme song for life)
****
examples of abbreviations and/or a letter and/or number used instead of fully spelling out a word
32. Shania g, June 2016 (S7)
"righh slay lit low-key idku tho"
**
33. Canaria Powell, June 2016 (S8)
"thats awesome the mashup is da bomb do more plz
**
examples of randomly typed letters and/or keyboard characters with or without seemingly random words
34. Marques Bluitt, June 2016 (S2)
"+Shernell “ghjhhguhuugjhfjjuNelly” Crutchfield hjjgjgnjjkgkiuuju"
**
35. Megan Steele, June 2016 (S2)
"hth Nehru hc6hfgy 92uf 46-year-old age ufutfugjfuufufugh guy fuufjtuff rjghyrydhvhnf🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅👀😕😕🚳🚱🛄💤👄👅💩🔥💧👀"
**
36. Thomasiana Williams, October 2015 (S4)
"fplnqk in unglazed joc j box Cypriots to"
****
examples of one, two, or three word comments, sometimes pertinent to the discussion and sometimes not
37. Angela Cowgill,June 2016 (S3)
"Yo"
**
38. Tamara Morrell, April April 2016 (S3)
"bam"
**
39. Dalya Abdullah, June 2016 (S4)
"hi"
**
40. Zymere Visco, May 2016 (S5)
"Sharkeisha is Cameron j"
**
Reply
41. Meosha Brown, May 2016 (S5)
"yes"
**
Reply
42. Janiya McGill, June 2016 (S4)
"+ZymereVisco DUHHH(followed by four emoticons)"
****
examples of misspelled words (words that aren't purposely misspelled)
43. Janai Crotzer, 2013 (S1)
"She don't even go to shersh"
**
44. Raina Priester, 2013 (S6)
"Im An IDEPENDENTANT! <<<< HOW EVER YOU SPELL IT!"
**
45.Keyanta Gary, June 2016 (S8)
"Ok ladies now let's go get some loshon"
**
Reply
46. Chaotic Madness, June 2016 (S8)
"Okay Keyanta Gary Lets get some spelling its l-o to the t i o-n we know your petty i can tell u that much O.o"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
My initial plan was to share my analysis of the characteristics and content of selected comments that were posted by pre-teen children (ages 7-12 years) on several discussion threads of Starrkeisha videos. "Starrkeisha" is Black comedic female character who was conceptualized and is performed by vocalist and female impersonator Cameron J.
However, as I prepared to write that post I found out that
1. It was sometimes difficult to determine whether commenters were children or not.
and
2. Some of the characteristics that I believe were characteristics of children's comments were also characteristics of teens' and adults' comments.
As a result of these conclusions, I have amended my initial plan and decided to present this post about certain characteristics of comments that I noticed in discussion threads of several Starrkeisha videos. I hasten to say that I've noticed these same characteristics-to the same extent or a greater or lesser extent-in many other YouTube discussion threads for African American Hip-Hop/R&B music.
This post is Part III of a four part series on Starrkeisha videos. This post showcases the Starrkeisha video "Imma Independent" and provides my analysis of some of the characteristics of comments that are written in eight Starrkeisha videos' discussion threads.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/child-support-rap-battle-starrkeisha-vs.html for Part I of that series. Information about Cameron J, the developer of the Starrkeisha character and the actor who performs that character, is found in that post along with links to the other posts in this series.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/facebooking-youtube-video-comment.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV focuses on what I call "Facebooking YouTube Comment Threads: Kids Commenting On Starrkeisha Videos' Discussion Threads." Examples of those "Facebook type" comments from Starrkeisha discussion threads are featured in that post.
****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Cameron J for conceptualizing and performing the Starrkeisha character. Thanks to all others who are associated with these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of the video that is showcased in this post.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Starrkeisha - I'mma Independent (@TheKingOfWeird)
RandomStructureTV Published on Feb 6, 2013
Don't forget to click the thumbs up! Leave Starr a comment! Share on FB, Twitter, etc.
http://www.Twitter.com/TheKingOfWeird
****
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VIDEO SOURCES OF THESE SELECTED COMMENTS
These comments are gleaned from eight Starrkeisha videos which were published in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016. These Starkeisha video discussion threads are the only ones that I've read in their entirety or almost in their entirety.
These examples document how many comments in these discussion threads are written. Post IV provides examples of what many comments in those same discussion threads are about (their subject matter).
This analysis doesn't purport to cover every category of comment that is found in those videos' discussion threads. That said, I believe that the types of comments that are included in this post are representative to a greater or lesser degree of the types of comments in other Starrkeisha videos. And I think that this is particularly the case regarding the discussion threads for the Starrkeisha videos before 2016 when it appears that their producer/writer, actor Cameron J focused on the ongoing saga of the relationship between Starrkeisha and "baby daddy" Cameron J.
The title, publisher's name, and publishing date of each Starrkeisha video which served as the source for comments that are featured in this post are given in chronological order based on that publishing date, with the earliest dated video given first. Those videos are cited as Source 1, Source 2, and so forth. Comments include the commenter's name and date (usually the year) the comment was published.
****
LIST OF THE STARKEISHA VIDEOS WHOSE DISCUSSION THREADS ARE FEATURED IN THIS POST
Source #1 (S1) I Need My Child Support Money! - StarrKeisha/Cameron J., RandomStructureTV, Jan 15, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l--wmtJ7Vj8
"The newest edition to RSTV is not only ghetto, but quite trashy and uneducated. I wanted to create a character that can bring some ghetto fabulous flavor to my channel, StarrKeisha definitely does that! Lol!"
-snip-
This first video in the Starrkeisha series introduces the characters "Starrkeisha" and (baby daddy) Cameron J.
****
Source #2 (S2) Starrkeisha Fights!, RandomStructureTV Uploaded on Mar 12, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl2TvW2aTq4
"Cameron J's sister Tori calls and confronts Starrkeisha about the lies she has been spreading. Starrkeisha recently called and accused Cameron J. of being her "baby's daddy." Tori knows this is a lie and is ready to fight to make Starrkeisha shut her mouth. Starrkeisha calls on her sisters ZoRonda' and Mercedes to fight Tori and her friend Tavia. - GHETTO STYLE!"
-snip-
Starkeisha and sisters lose the fight badly. After Tori and Tavi leave, Starrkeisha and sisters brag about how they won the fight. Starkeisha and her sisters are performed by three different female impersonators while Tori and Tavi are performed by two young Black women.
**
Source #3 (S3): Child Support Rap Battle - Starrkeisha VS Cameron J, RandomStructureTV, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFoZ0H4Cr7I
Starrkeisha tries to get child support from Cameron J for the child she alleges is his. Cameron J denies that the child is his.
**
Source #4 (S4): Starrkeisha's Car Trouble - @TheKingOfWeird, RandomStructureTV, Published on Aug 14, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1erpl_XAcIo
-snip-
"Drama" occurs when Starrkeisha and her sisters have car trouble.
**
Source #5 (S5): Pregnant Again - Starrkeisha & Cameron J (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV
Published on Dec 3, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqZyIbWEw0
"Starrkeisha is pregnant... AGAIN!"
-snip-
Starrkeisha calls Cameron J and tells him he is her baby daddy- again.
**
Souce #6 (S6): Starrkeisha - I'mma Independent (@TheKingOfWeird), RandomStructureTV, Published on Feb 6, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gee-_HTsUnI
Starkeisha sings and dances to a song about how she is independent (i.e. She doesn't need any financial support from anyone else. Of course, her actions regarding her "baby daddy" Cameron J contradicts these statements.
**
Source #7 (S7) The Starrkeisha Choir - Formation! @TheKingOfWeird #BeyHive, RandomStructureTV Published on Feb 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFEf5lfaeJk
Starrkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha sing a mashup of a Pop and a Gospel song.
**
Source #8 (S8) PETTY SONG - The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - @TheKingOfWeird, Randome Guye Published on Apr 3, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMU5C-fEXA8
Starkeisha and multiple copies of Starrkeisha perform a cheer and dance to a mashup of current hit R&B and Pop songs.
****
HOW THESE SELECTED COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN
Here are some ways that comments are written in various Starrkeisha discussion threads. This list isn't meant to be comprehensive. For example, it doesn't include comments that are written in standard English (comments that include standard [mainstream] American spelling, punctuation, and capitalization) as well as comments that include words that are elongated by adding vowels (such as "I loooove this").
These "categories" are given in no particular order. Notice that many of these comments could be placed in more than one category that is given below.
I've given numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only.
WARNING: As is the case with a number of YouTube video discussion threads, the Starrkeisha video discussion threads that I have read contain profanity, the n word, and sexually explicit language. None of those examples are found below.
Documentation Of Selected Comment Examples:
examples of little or no capitalization or punctuation or inconsistent use of capitalization or punctuation
1. Suzzanne Freeman, June 2016 (S3)
"yall two are so so funny I'm about to choke laughing and for you starkeisha leave the man alone he right your wig rached and your jacket is to small I watch yall videos all the time."
**
edgar worthen, April 2016 (S4)
2. "I love your videos make some more that is awesome my name is Elaine what's your name and Grete I love your videos and makemore videos⑤♥♥O:-) missing I am 10"
**
3. Jamiya's Life, May 2016 (S5)
"she don't need your mony she can have my mony starrkeisha why are you acting like a girl with your blue wig and a blue coat"
**
4. Queen Savannah, June 2016, (S8)
"its a challenge n everybody have to do it its all over Instagram (two emoticons)i did it but its to embarrassing to post (comment followed by three smiley emoticons)"
**
examples of African American Vernacular English (grammar- "be")
6. Tori Alexander, June 1016 (S5)
"girl he be tripin all mans do get a dna girl he know he want u he lien he love u honey dont cry he better make it rain"
**
7. Joyce Mackey2 years ago (S6)
"I Be Tryna Figure Out, How He Get Into Those Jackets" (followed by a smile pictorial)
**
8. alexus rodriguez, 2013 (S6)
"u need to mqake more video wit starrkeisha cause she be killen it i aint gonna lie u killet it"
**
9. missbri356, June 1016 (S7)
"He be killing it lol had to hit thst like and subscribe button 👌🏽😉"
**
10. Destiny Patterson, June 2016 (S2)
"this is really how girls be acting when they get beat they won.....(followed by 11 smiley face emoticon)
****
examples of African American Vernacular English (vocabulary)
11. Rich Kidd, 2013 (S1)
"I can't believe this is the first S to the T A double R K E to the I to the S H A video.... OMG.. Cameron keep it up.. Thanks for all of your videos. They SERIOUSLY crack me up.."
**
12. Erykah Tomlinson, 2012 (S2)
Oh Lawwwddd !!!!
**
13. K_slayz_4_dayz2 months ago (S2)
"YOU WON? YOU WON?! Man the only thing you threw was shade"
**
14. Princess Kenya, June 2016 (S4)
"Don't talk smack to nobody that's going to help you!!"
**
15. Trinitee Bryant, April 2016 (S3)
"He told her off with the quickness man like boyyyyyy. Cameron is cute though"
**
16. Cameron Saddler, 2015 (S6)
"Star don't believe those haters and if you want say haters gonna hate and my name is Cameron saddler and money is on your mind :-) :-) :-) :-)!!!"
**
17. Kae J, 2013 (S6)
I'm finna be singing that song and making it famous
**
18. Kimmy Jones, June 2016 (S7)
"Now this is fire😂😂🔥🔥🔥"
**
Reply
19. Joimyka Ward, June 2016 (S7)
"i feel u it is they can sing."
**
20. Mimi 1026, June 2016 (S7)
"oh lawd I died"
**
21. Adriane Russ, June 2016, (S8)
"I love the beat that thing go hard"
**
22. Ariyah Roundtree, June 2016 (S8)
"they killt it 💯💯💯💯💯💯"
**
23. Amyah Hoover, June 2016 (S8)
"They slayed that 24/7" (comment followed by four smiley face emoticons)
****
examples of comments with emoticons or other pictorial representations and/or emoticons/pictorial representations being the entire comment
24. Keaisha Franklin, May 2016 (S2)
"You did not win you got BEAT starr👅👅👅😃😃😄😄😀😀😊😊☺😉😜😝😣😁"
**
25. Krys'dionna Brantley, December 2015 (S4)
"🏢🏫🏠🏣🏤🏥🏦🏧🏨🏩🏬🚌🚙🚘🚗🚼🚼🚹🚺🚻⏳⌛"
**
26. Lanay Wheeler, June 2016 (S5)
"💜💜💜💙💙💙💙💚💚💚💛💛💛"
**
27. Sia Tanuvasa, June 2016 (S7)
"This just gives me so much happiness lol🔥🔥🔥"
**
28. Debra Woods, June 2016 (S7)
"mic💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩👩❤️💋👩👨❤️💋👨💏🖕👎🤘💔💣🎓🐅🦃🦂🌿🍍🌯🍬🏜🏰🎢🚽🛀🌡🌪🌊🎀🔕🔇🕯💰🔗🔫🚺🚹🚼🚯🚭🚳🚫🚱🚷✖❌❎💲2⃣5⃣"
****
29. examples of internet/text messaging acronyms and abbreviations (internet slang)
Mekyah Dunbar, 2013 (S1)
i loveded u lol u is2 much
**
30. shirley roman, April 2016 (S3)
"no lie this guy is so funny made my stress go away a bit lmfao"
**
31. kat3lynnn_, June 2016 (S7)
"OMG this is legit my new theme song for life)
****
examples of abbreviations and/or a letter and/or number used instead of fully spelling out a word
32. Shania g, June 2016 (S7)
"righh slay lit low-key idku tho"
**
33. Canaria Powell, June 2016 (S8)
"thats awesome the mashup is da bomb do more plz
**
examples of randomly typed letters and/or keyboard characters with or without seemingly random words
34. Marques Bluitt, June 2016 (S2)
"+Shernell “ghjhhguhuugjhfjjuNelly” Crutchfield hjjgjgnjjkgkiuuju"
**
35. Megan Steele, June 2016 (S2)
"hth Nehru hc6hfgy 92uf 46-year-old age ufutfugjfuufufugh guy fuufjtuff rjghyrydhvhnf🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅👀😕😕🚳🚱🛄💤👄👅💩🔥💧👀"
**
36. Thomasiana Williams, October 2015 (S4)
"fplnqk in unglazed joc j box Cypriots to"
****
examples of one, two, or three word comments, sometimes pertinent to the discussion and sometimes not
37. Angela Cowgill,June 2016 (S3)
"Yo"
**
38. Tamara Morrell, April April 2016 (S3)
"bam"
**
39. Dalya Abdullah, June 2016 (S4)
"hi"
**
40. Zymere Visco, May 2016 (S5)
"Sharkeisha is Cameron j"
**
Reply
41. Meosha Brown, May 2016 (S5)
"yes"
**
Reply
42. Janiya McGill, June 2016 (S4)
"+ZymereVisco DUHHH(followed by four emoticons)"
****
examples of misspelled words (words that aren't purposely misspelled)
43. Janai Crotzer, 2013 (S1)
"She don't even go to shersh"
**
44. Raina Priester, 2013 (S6)
"Im An IDEPENDENTANT! <<<< HOW EVER YOU SPELL IT!"
**
45.Keyanta Gary, June 2016 (S8)
"Ok ladies now let's go get some loshon"
**
Reply
46. Chaotic Madness, June 2016 (S8)
"Okay Keyanta Gary Lets get some spelling its l-o to the t i o-n we know your petty i can tell u that much O.o"
****
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