Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents information about Benin, West African singer/songwriter Angélique Kidjo.
This post also showcases a video of Angélique Kidjo singing "La Vida Es Un Carnaval". Selected comments from that 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 owner/s.
Thanks to Angélique Kidjo for her musical legacy. Thanks to Tony Allen and all others who were associated with this video, and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to former President Barack Obama for featuring this song in his list of favorite songs from 2019.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT ANGELIQUE KIDJO
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ang%C3%A9lique_Kidjo
..."Angélique Kidjo (born July 14, 1960), is a Beninese singer-songwriter, actress, and activist who is noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. In 2007, Time magazine called her "Africa's premier diva".[4]
Her musical influences include the Afropop, Caribbean zouk, Congolese rumba, jazz, gospel, and Latin styles...
Kidjo is fluent in five languages: Fon, French, Yorùbá, Gen (Mina), and English.[6] She sings in all of them, and she also has her own personal language, which includes words that serve as song titles such as "Batonga". "Malaika" is a song sung in the Swahili language. Kidjo often uses Benin's traditional Zilin vocal technique and vocalese.
[...]
Early life
Kidjo was born in Ouidah, Benin.[7] Her father is from the Fon people of Ouidah and her mother from the Yoruba people. She grew up listening to Beninese traditional music, Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, James Brown, Manu Dibango, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Osibisa, and Santana. By the time she was six, Kidjo was performing with her mother's theatre troupe,[8] giving her an early appreciation for traditional music and dance.She started singing in her school band, Les Sphinx, and found success as a teenager with her adaptation of Miriam Makeba's "Les Trois Z", which played on national radio. She recorded the album Pretty with the Cameroonian producer Ekambi Brilliant and her brother Oscar. It featured the songs "Ninive", "Gbe Agossi" and a tribute to the singer Bella Bellow, one of her role models. The success of the album allowed her to tour all over West Africa. Continuing political conflicts in Benin prevented her from being an independent artist in her own country and led her to relocate to Paris in 1983."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "LA VIDA ES UN CARNAVAL"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Vida_Es_Un_Carnaval
" "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" (... English: "Life Is a Carnival") is a song performed by Cuban recording artist Celia Cruz. The song was written by Victor Daniel, produced by Isidro Infante, arranged by Isidro Infante and released as the lead single from Cruz's studio album Mi Vida Es Cantar (1998). The song won the award for Tropical Song of the Year at the 2003 Lo Nuestro Awards.[1]
It has become one of Cruz's most popular songs, leading to the song being covered by several artists, including salsa singers Victor Manuelle and La India among others."...
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IibNqwndtCE&list=RDIibNqwndtCE&start_radio=1 for a video of Celia Cruz singing "La Vida Es Un Carnaval".
Also, click https://lyricstranslate.com/en/la-vida-es-un-carnaval-life-carnival-celia-cruz-life-carnival.html for the Spanish lyrics to "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" and its English translation.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Angélique Kidjo - La Vida Es Un Carnaval
Angelique Kidjo, Jun 6, 2019
La Vida Es Un Carnaval - Angelique Kidjo featuring Tony Allen
The video is directed by Chris Saunders
-snip-
Here's a Facebook message from about this video:
https://www.facebook.com/angeliquekidjo/videos/vb.16616192678/463698484437340/?type=2&theater
Angélique Kidjo, June 6, 2019 ·
"My new music video for “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” featuring the legendary Tony Allen is out now! We had so much fun shooting the video in Paris with the fantastic dancers, Cindy Emelie & Ashley Biscette! It is directed by South African Chris Sanders, choreographed by Gabonese Carmel Loanga, and Meshell Ndegeocello performed on the original recording! Thank you to Celia Cruz for the original inspiration!"
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
[with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. jemstarr, 2019
"Thank you for covering these Celia Cruz songs. You have done an amazing job fusing your African Sound with that of Celia’s Afro Cuban Beats. Your interpretations are very well executed and a joy to listen to. I’ve been a fan since 1992 when I discovered you on BET’s World Video Showcase. I’ve performed Chango, Oremi & Bahia in talent shows over the years and now to have you do Celia Cruz’s music can add to my list of songs. I’m forever a fan & sad I missed you when you recently came to San Antonio,TX. But know that I support your music and glad that I live in a time where music can bring us all together to celebrate life as well as culture."
**
2. Roger Moore, 2019
"Muy buena interpretación de la canción de Celia Cruz. Es una canción que lleva un mensaje muy positivo"
**
REPLY
3. Kevin Wilson, 2019
"Tú mensaje es bonito! Celia Cruz es reina y la mensaje de Celia Cruz es viviendo en todos generáciones!!"
-snip-
Here's the Google translate results for these two comments from Spanish to English:
Roger Moore:
"Very good interpretation of the song of Celia Cruz. It is a song that carries a very positive message"
**
REPLY
Kevin Wilson:
"Your message is beautiful! Celia Cruz is queen and the message of Celia Cruz is living in all generations!"
**
4. discobaby795, 2020
"Great rendition to one of the most emblematic songs of the Queen Of Salsa, Mrs. Celia Cruz. This is how an magnificent, honorable and respectful tribute is done. Great job!"
Lucievilin Barbosa
1 week ago
Who is here because of Obama?
20
Ussai Bari
Ussai Bari
1 week ago
Meeee
hugues FONZAN
hugues FONZAN
3 days ago
Me
-snip-
Here are two article excerpts about how former United States President Obama "sent people to this video":
From https://www.stereogum.com/2068626/barack-obama-favorite-music-2019/news/ " arack Obama Shares His Favorite Songs Of 2019" by Chris DeVille @chrisdeville | December 30, 2019 - 12:25 pm
"Near the end of his second presidential term, Barack Obama took on the role of curator, sharing lists of his favorite pop culture. Sometimes that took the form of summer music playlists or workout mixes, but more recently it’s mostly meant wrapping up year-end list season with his own contribution to the critical anointment ritual. The past two days Obama has shared lists of his favorite books and movies (with honorary mentions of TV shows Fleabag, Unbelievable, and Watchmen). And now he’s followed up his 2017 and 2018 song lists with one for 2019.
“From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year,” Obama writes. “If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick.” The list comprises 35 songs and is sequenced into a playlist."...
****
From https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bruce-springsteen-streams-double-obama-top-songs-2019-122825636.html "Bruce Springsteen song streams more than double after making Obama's 'Top Songs of 2019' list" by Zack Guzman, January 7, 2020
"Barack Obama is proving to be quite the musical influencer since his days in the White House.
The former president named 34 songs across a number of musical genres including rap, hip-hop, and salsa tracks to his “Top Songs of 2019” list in the final week of the year, and now new Nielsen data shared exclusively with Yahoo Finance shows every song on his list caught a streaming boost.
Even songs from well-established artists, like rock legend Bruce Springsteen’s “Hello Sunshine,” saw streams on premium and ad-supported platforms more than double after getting named to Obama’s list (The Boss’ track went from an average of 5,700 streams per day to more than 11,500.) Songs from less mainstream singers, like Angélique Kidjo’s cover of “La Vida Es Un Carnaval,” saw even larger boosts, with Kidjo’s track earning a 2700% jump in streams during the 48 hours after making the list."...
****
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Salsa music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salsa music. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Seven Videos Of The Queen Of Salsa, Celia Cruz
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases seven videos of performances by the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. Information about Celia Cruz and these featured songs are also provided in this post.
The content of this post is provided for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
INFORMATION ABOUT CELIA CRUZ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia_Cruz
"Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso de la Santísima Trinidad (October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003) was a Cuban-American salsa performer. One of the most popular salsa artists of the 20th century, she earned twenty-three gold albums and was renowned internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" as well as "La Guarachera de Cuba."[1]
She spent much of her career living in New Jersey, and working in the United States and several Latin American countries. Leila Cobo of Billboard Magazine once said "Cruz is indisputably the best known and most influential female figure in the history of Cuban music...
Cruz became known for her trademark shout "¡Azúcar!" ("Sugar!" in Spanish). The catch phrase started as the punch line for a joke Cruz used to tell frequently at her concerts. Once, she ordered cafe cubano (Cuban coffee) in a restaurant in Miami. The waiter asked her if she'd like sugar, and she replied that, since he was Cuban, he should know that you can't drink Cuban coffee without it! After having told the joke so many times, Cruz eventually dropped the joke and greeted her audience at the start of her appearances with the punch line alone. In her later years, she would use the punch line a few times, to later say: "No les digo más 'Azúcar', pa' que no les dé diabetes!" which means "I won't say 'Sugar' anymore so that you won't get diabetes" "...
With Fidel Castro assuming control of Cuba in 1959, Cruz and her husband, Pedro Knight, refused to return to their homeland and became citizens of the United States…
-snip-
From http://celiacruz.com/index.php/celia-cruz/biography
"For more than half a century, the Queen of Salsa carried her title with class and distinction. Her powerful voice and electrifying rhythm garnered more than 100 worldwide recognitions, multiple platinum and gold records, three GRAMMY® awards and four Latin GRAMMY® awards, as well as a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Her boundless enthusiasm, genuine warmth, and deep-seated humanitarianism made Celia Cruz the music industry’s most accomplished and revered performer and the world's most notable ambassador of Hispanic culture.
FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1: Celia Cruz - Guantanamera
Xxjorgehlxx, Uploaded on Dec 25, 2007
Celia Cruz, "La Reina de la Salsa", interpretando Guantanamera
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamera
"Guantanamera" (Spanish: "from Guantánamo [feminine]", thus "woman from Guantánamo") is perhaps the best known Cuban song and that country's most noted patriotic song."...
****
Example #2: CELIA CRUZ y la sonora matancera
JUAN R, Uploaded on Jan 19, 2011
CELIA CRUZ canta desde la antigua Cuba con el respaldo de la Sonora Matancera. Nelson Pinedo de origen colombiano, fue uno de los mejores cantantes de la Sonora Matancera. Aquí ven ustedes a Pedro Knight en la trompeta (el más alto) antes de que se enamorara de Celia Cruz. Este video es histórico porque la película fue rodada en Cuba con un elenco de grandes artistas internacionales. La chica es Ana Berta Lepe.
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonora_Matancera
"Sonora Matancera is a Cuban/Afro-Cuban band that played Latin American urban popular dance music. Led for more than five decades by guitarist, vocalist, and composer Rogelio Martínez, who was nicknamed El Gallego, musicologists consider it an icon of this type of music....
The group was founded on January 12, 1924 in Barrio Ojo de Agua, a neighborhood in the city of Matanzas,[4] capital of the province of the same name in west central Cuba.[5] Culturally and demographically, this is the most African region of Cuba...
The band experienced many more changes—in personnel, instrumentation, and musical styles—in their nearly eight decade history. Each change in personnel and instrumentation altered the group's sound."...
****
Example #3: Celia Cruz & The Fania All Stars - Quimbara - Zaire, Africa 1974
GravityLimited, Uploaded on Jun 28, 2010
Zaire, Africa 1974
-snip-
This song title is sometimes given as "Kimbara".
Click http://www.proz.com/kudoz/spanish_to_english/music/1753850-quimbara.html for a comment posted by Richard Cadena (Mexico) about Salsa music in general and about the word "Quimbara". According to that writer, "Quimbara" is a proper name. Also, click http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080816123431AAFw7oU for a comment from Rafael, a Spanish speaker who writes that "Quimbara" isn't a Spanish word, but comes from an African language.
****
Example #4: Celia Cruz. La vida es un carnaval (Live).flv
Manu Remon, Uploaded on Nov 16, 2010
querida celia cruz cuanto hace falta tu alegria :/
-snip-
The English translation for this song title is "Life Is A Carnival."
****
Example #5: Celia Cruz - Oye Como Va
CeliaCruzVEVO, Uploaded on Oct 25, 2009
Music video by Celia Cruz performing Oye Como Va. (C) 2002 Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.
-snip-
Here's a comment about the English translation of this song's title:
"Taken out of the context of [Carlos] Santana's song, "¡Oye! ¿Cómo va?" might be interpreted to mean "Hey! How's it going?" But, taken in the context of the surrounding words, it means "Listen how the beat (or rythm)goes. Posted by Moe, Jun 14, 2011 http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/195229/what-does-oye-como-va-mean-in-english
****
Example #6: Celia Cruz con la Orquesta de José Alberto "El Canario" - Te busco
liuxiahuai, Uploaded on Aug 8, 2010
-snip-
Several online sites translates the title of this song as "I Look For You". Here's a link to one site that provides the Spanish lyrics to this song as well as their English translation: http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/spanish-lyrics-translation/11929-english-translation-of-yo-te-busco.html.
****
Example #7: Celia Cruz - Rie Y Llora
CeliaCruzVEVO, Uploaded on Oct 24, 2009
Music video by Celia Cruz performing Rie Y Llora. (C) 2004 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
-snip-
The English translation for this title is "Laugh And Cry". Click http://lyricstranslate.com/en/rie-y-llora-laugh-and-cry.html for the Spanish lyrics & their English translation.
RELATED LINKS
One additional video of Celia Cruz can be found on pancocojams at
"Seven Black Female Singers With Blond Hair" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/seven-black-female-singers-with-blond.html and another video of Celia Cruz is included in this pancocojams post: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/12/black-female-singers-with-red-hair.html "Black Female Singers With Red Hair"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Celia Cruz for her music legacy. Thanks also to the composers of these song and to those who provided the information which I have quoted about Celia Cruz and these featured songs. My thanks also to the uploaders of these sound files and videos.
Also, thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comments are welcome
This pancocojams post showcases seven videos of performances by the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz. Information about Celia Cruz and these featured songs are also provided in this post.
The content of this post is provided for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
INFORMATION ABOUT CELIA CRUZ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia_Cruz
"Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso de la Santísima Trinidad (October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003) was a Cuban-American salsa performer. One of the most popular salsa artists of the 20th century, she earned twenty-three gold albums and was renowned internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" as well as "La Guarachera de Cuba."[1]
She spent much of her career living in New Jersey, and working in the United States and several Latin American countries. Leila Cobo of Billboard Magazine once said "Cruz is indisputably the best known and most influential female figure in the history of Cuban music...
Cruz became known for her trademark shout "¡Azúcar!" ("Sugar!" in Spanish). The catch phrase started as the punch line for a joke Cruz used to tell frequently at her concerts. Once, she ordered cafe cubano (Cuban coffee) in a restaurant in Miami. The waiter asked her if she'd like sugar, and she replied that, since he was Cuban, he should know that you can't drink Cuban coffee without it! After having told the joke so many times, Cruz eventually dropped the joke and greeted her audience at the start of her appearances with the punch line alone. In her later years, she would use the punch line a few times, to later say: "No les digo más 'Azúcar', pa' que no les dé diabetes!" which means "I won't say 'Sugar' anymore so that you won't get diabetes" "...
With Fidel Castro assuming control of Cuba in 1959, Cruz and her husband, Pedro Knight, refused to return to their homeland and became citizens of the United States…
-snip-
From http://celiacruz.com/index.php/celia-cruz/biography
"For more than half a century, the Queen of Salsa carried her title with class and distinction. Her powerful voice and electrifying rhythm garnered more than 100 worldwide recognitions, multiple platinum and gold records, three GRAMMY® awards and four Latin GRAMMY® awards, as well as a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Her boundless enthusiasm, genuine warmth, and deep-seated humanitarianism made Celia Cruz the music industry’s most accomplished and revered performer and the world's most notable ambassador of Hispanic culture.
FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1: Celia Cruz - Guantanamera
Xxjorgehlxx, Uploaded on Dec 25, 2007
Celia Cruz, "La Reina de la Salsa", interpretando Guantanamera
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamera
"Guantanamera" (Spanish: "from Guantánamo [feminine]", thus "woman from Guantánamo") is perhaps the best known Cuban song and that country's most noted patriotic song."...
****
Example #2: CELIA CRUZ y la sonora matancera
JUAN R, Uploaded on Jan 19, 2011
CELIA CRUZ canta desde la antigua Cuba con el respaldo de la Sonora Matancera. Nelson Pinedo de origen colombiano, fue uno de los mejores cantantes de la Sonora Matancera. Aquí ven ustedes a Pedro Knight en la trompeta (el más alto) antes de que se enamorara de Celia Cruz. Este video es histórico porque la película fue rodada en Cuba con un elenco de grandes artistas internacionales. La chica es Ana Berta Lepe.
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonora_Matancera
"Sonora Matancera is a Cuban/Afro-Cuban band that played Latin American urban popular dance music. Led for more than five decades by guitarist, vocalist, and composer Rogelio Martínez, who was nicknamed El Gallego, musicologists consider it an icon of this type of music....
The group was founded on January 12, 1924 in Barrio Ojo de Agua, a neighborhood in the city of Matanzas,[4] capital of the province of the same name in west central Cuba.[5] Culturally and demographically, this is the most African region of Cuba...
The band experienced many more changes—in personnel, instrumentation, and musical styles—in their nearly eight decade history. Each change in personnel and instrumentation altered the group's sound."...
****
Example #3: Celia Cruz & The Fania All Stars - Quimbara - Zaire, Africa 1974
GravityLimited, Uploaded on Jun 28, 2010
Zaire, Africa 1974
-snip-
This song title is sometimes given as "Kimbara".
Click http://www.proz.com/kudoz/spanish_to_english/music/1753850-quimbara.html for a comment posted by Richard Cadena (Mexico) about Salsa music in general and about the word "Quimbara". According to that writer, "Quimbara" is a proper name. Also, click http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080816123431AAFw7oU for a comment from Rafael, a Spanish speaker who writes that "Quimbara" isn't a Spanish word, but comes from an African language.
****
Example #4: Celia Cruz. La vida es un carnaval (Live).flv
Manu Remon, Uploaded on Nov 16, 2010
querida celia cruz cuanto hace falta tu alegria :/
-snip-
The English translation for this song title is "Life Is A Carnival."
****
Example #5: Celia Cruz - Oye Como Va
CeliaCruzVEVO, Uploaded on Oct 25, 2009
Music video by Celia Cruz performing Oye Como Va. (C) 2002 Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.
-snip-
Here's a comment about the English translation of this song's title:
"Taken out of the context of [Carlos] Santana's song, "¡Oye! ¿Cómo va?" might be interpreted to mean "Hey! How's it going?" But, taken in the context of the surrounding words, it means "Listen how the beat (or rythm)goes. Posted by Moe, Jun 14, 2011 http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/195229/what-does-oye-como-va-mean-in-english
****
Example #6: Celia Cruz con la Orquesta de José Alberto "El Canario" - Te busco
liuxiahuai, Uploaded on Aug 8, 2010
-snip-
Several online sites translates the title of this song as "I Look For You". Here's a link to one site that provides the Spanish lyrics to this song as well as their English translation: http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/spanish-lyrics-translation/11929-english-translation-of-yo-te-busco.html.
****
Example #7: Celia Cruz - Rie Y Llora
CeliaCruzVEVO, Uploaded on Oct 24, 2009
Music video by Celia Cruz performing Rie Y Llora. (C) 2004 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
-snip-
The English translation for this title is "Laugh And Cry". Click http://lyricstranslate.com/en/rie-y-llora-laugh-and-cry.html for the Spanish lyrics & their English translation.
RELATED LINKS
One additional video of Celia Cruz can be found on pancocojams at
"Seven Black Female Singers With Blond Hair" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/seven-black-female-singers-with-blond.html and another video of Celia Cruz is included in this pancocojams post: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/12/black-female-singers-with-red-hair.html "Black Female Singers With Red Hair"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Celia Cruz for her music legacy. Thanks also to the composers of these song and to those who provided the information which I have quoted about Celia Cruz and these featured songs. My thanks also to the uploaders of these sound files and videos.
Also, thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comments are welcome
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Black Female Singers With Red Hair
Edited by Azizi Powell
Prior to the 1990s it seems to me that the general consensus in the United States was that dying one's hair blond or red was the exclusive perogative of White women and White men. However, since the 1990s an increasing number of People of Color, including African Americans, are choosing to change the color of their hair not just to hide gray hair, but as a beauty enhancer and/or fashion statement.
Of course, some African Americans (and other Black people) in the past & present had/have naturally red hair and some African Americans (and other Black people)- particularly women- prior to the 1990s dyed their hair red or wore wigs with dark red, if not brighter red hair.* Furthermore, prior to 1990s some Black women have had naturally blond hair, dyed their hair blond, or wore blond wigs. The following response from a commenter to a yahoo question addresses the subject of Black people with naturally blond hair:
Do you know any African Americans with bright red hair? (2008)
Response from neet (2008)
"Yes, I've met many black people with blonde hair, red hair, lt. brown hair....
In fact, my grandmother had red-headed brothers (my great-uncles). My great-grandmother was a red-head too. Black people having light hair and/or eyes isn't common, but it definately happens. I've met a few black red heads with freckles too...
And I'm talking about natural hair color."
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090413233938AAk840l
*The video of the huge 1973 outdoor Wattstax concert features a clip of young Black woman with a large afro which is probably dyed blondish red, and there are other scenes of Black women in that audience with their hair dyed a brownish/reddish color:
Rufus Thomas-"Breakdown" 'Funky Chicken' LIVE @ WATTSTAX 1973
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCFyKRtlLOI (1:40).
-snip-
"Hair Color Ideas on African-Americans According to Skin Tone"
By Tonya Cunningham, eHow Contributor presents advice for Black women who are considering dying their hair red or blond as a normal, legitimate beauty and fashion option, and not just to hide graying hair. That article includes a section on hair color and various skin tones that Black people have, including this excerpt:
"In the evolution of style and beauty, hair color has become a popular topic. Various hair colors can provide warmth, radiance and dramatic effects. Hair color can compliment your skin tone, head shape and facial features....
Medium Skin Tones
Medium-brown skin tones are often flattered well by light-brown or red hair. While many brown-skinned people naturally have lighter hair, dying it a slight shade or two lighter or choosing a slightly red-toned hair color creates a fresh look. Another idea would be dark blond or medium-red highlights. Highlights enhance your hair's natural tone without using as much chemicals for the new look"....
http://www.ehow.com/list_6894006_hair-african_americans-according-skin-tone.html
-snip-
To a large extent, the increased acceptance of Black females with red or with blond hair and the concomitant increase in Black woman who dye their hair blond or red or wear blond or red wigs is the result of the role modeling of popular African Americans singers who have dyed their hair as a fashion & beauty statement. Here are five videos that feature African American singers with red hair:
FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest videos given first.)
Video #1: TLC - Waterfalls
TLCVEVO, Uploaded on Jul 14, 2010
Music video by TLC performing Waterfalls. (C) 1994 LaFace Records LLC
-snip-
Red haired vocalist - T-Boz
****
Video #2: Destiny's Child – Bootylicious
DestinysChild, Uploaded on Oct 25, 2009
Music video by Destiny's Child performing Bootylicious. (C) 2001 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
-snip-
Red haired vocalist -Kelly Rowland
****
Video #3: Straight Line Stitch - Black Veil
SLSVEVO, Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011
Music video by Straight Line Stitch performing Black Veil. KOCH Entertainment LP
-snip-
vocalist Alexis Brown, song recorded in 2008
****
Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)
RihannaVEVO, Uploaded on Oct 12, 2010
Music video by Rihanna performing Only Girl (In The World). (C) 2010 The Island Def Jam Music Group, #VEVOCertified on February 16, 2011.
****
Beyoncé - I Was Here (Live at Roseland)
beyonce,Published on Nov 16, 2011
Music video by Beyoncé performing I Was Here. (C) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment
-snip-
Beyonce with red hair, blond hair, brown hair, or black hair..., Kelly Rowland with red hair or black hair...
****
BONUS VIDEOS
Here's a video of the Queen of Salsa music, Celia Cruz (October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003) who was born in Cuba but lived in New Jersey for much of her life. Celia Cruz changed her hair color (or the color of her wig) whenever she chose to do so:
Celia Cruz - Yo Vivire
elocoo8, Uploaded on Apr 10, 2010
Music by one of the best singers from Cuba, Celia Cruz.
****
[added 1/20/2013]
Ultra Nate - Free (Super Extended Dance Vocal Mix)
vjcarlos21BR, Uploaded on Oct 7, 2010
Ultra Nate - Free (Super Extended Dance Vocal Mix)
****
RELATED LINKS
This post serves as a companion piece to the Pancocojams post, "Seven Black Female Singers With Blond Hair" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/seven-black-female-singers-with-blond.html. My editorial comment in that post considers the changing customs of an increased number of Black women dying their hair blond or red.
-snip-
Also, here's a link to a video of a recent very popular South African Gospel song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt-yOpEfZIE&playnext=1&list=PLC5ACB10AD642D912&feature=results_main Solly Mahlangu - Wa Hamba Nathi
Notice that two of the four women back-up singers have their hair dyed a red or reddish/brown color.
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to those whose comments I quoted in this post, to the performers in the featured videos, and to the uploaders of those videos.
All copyrights remains with their owners.
Thanks you for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comments are welcome.
Prior to the 1990s it seems to me that the general consensus in the United States was that dying one's hair blond or red was the exclusive perogative of White women and White men. However, since the 1990s an increasing number of People of Color, including African Americans, are choosing to change the color of their hair not just to hide gray hair, but as a beauty enhancer and/or fashion statement.
Of course, some African Americans (and other Black people) in the past & present had/have naturally red hair and some African Americans (and other Black people)- particularly women- prior to the 1990s dyed their hair red or wore wigs with dark red, if not brighter red hair.* Furthermore, prior to 1990s some Black women have had naturally blond hair, dyed their hair blond, or wore blond wigs. The following response from a commenter to a yahoo question addresses the subject of Black people with naturally blond hair:
Do you know any African Americans with bright red hair? (2008)
Response from neet (2008)
"Yes, I've met many black people with blonde hair, red hair, lt. brown hair....
In fact, my grandmother had red-headed brothers (my great-uncles). My great-grandmother was a red-head too. Black people having light hair and/or eyes isn't common, but it definately happens. I've met a few black red heads with freckles too...
And I'm talking about natural hair color."
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090413233938AAk840l
*The video of the huge 1973 outdoor Wattstax concert features a clip of young Black woman with a large afro which is probably dyed blondish red, and there are other scenes of Black women in that audience with their hair dyed a brownish/reddish color:
Rufus Thomas-"Breakdown" 'Funky Chicken' LIVE @ WATTSTAX 1973
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCFyKRtlLOI (1:40).
-snip-
"Hair Color Ideas on African-Americans According to Skin Tone"
By Tonya Cunningham, eHow Contributor presents advice for Black women who are considering dying their hair red or blond as a normal, legitimate beauty and fashion option, and not just to hide graying hair. That article includes a section on hair color and various skin tones that Black people have, including this excerpt:
"In the evolution of style and beauty, hair color has become a popular topic. Various hair colors can provide warmth, radiance and dramatic effects. Hair color can compliment your skin tone, head shape and facial features....
Medium Skin Tones
Medium-brown skin tones are often flattered well by light-brown or red hair. While many brown-skinned people naturally have lighter hair, dying it a slight shade or two lighter or choosing a slightly red-toned hair color creates a fresh look. Another idea would be dark blond or medium-red highlights. Highlights enhance your hair's natural tone without using as much chemicals for the new look"....
http://www.ehow.com/list_6894006_hair-african_americans-according-skin-tone.html
-snip-
To a large extent, the increased acceptance of Black females with red or with blond hair and the concomitant increase in Black woman who dye their hair blond or red or wear blond or red wigs is the result of the role modeling of popular African Americans singers who have dyed their hair as a fashion & beauty statement. Here are five videos that feature African American singers with red hair:
FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest videos given first.)
Video #1: TLC - Waterfalls
TLCVEVO, Uploaded on Jul 14, 2010
Music video by TLC performing Waterfalls. (C) 1994 LaFace Records LLC
-snip-
Red haired vocalist - T-Boz
****
Video #2: Destiny's Child – Bootylicious
DestinysChild, Uploaded on Oct 25, 2009
Music video by Destiny's Child performing Bootylicious. (C) 2001 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
-snip-
Red haired vocalist -Kelly Rowland
****
Video #3: Straight Line Stitch - Black Veil
SLSVEVO, Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011
Music video by Straight Line Stitch performing Black Veil. KOCH Entertainment LP
-snip-
vocalist Alexis Brown, song recorded in 2008
****
Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)
RihannaVEVO, Uploaded on Oct 12, 2010
Music video by Rihanna performing Only Girl (In The World). (C) 2010 The Island Def Jam Music Group, #VEVOCertified on February 16, 2011.
****
Beyoncé - I Was Here (Live at Roseland)
beyonce,Published on Nov 16, 2011
Music video by Beyoncé performing I Was Here. (C) 2011 Sony Music Entertainment
-snip-
Beyonce with red hair, blond hair, brown hair, or black hair..., Kelly Rowland with red hair or black hair...
****
BONUS VIDEOS
Here's a video of the Queen of Salsa music, Celia Cruz (October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003) who was born in Cuba but lived in New Jersey for much of her life. Celia Cruz changed her hair color (or the color of her wig) whenever she chose to do so:
Celia Cruz - Yo Vivire
elocoo8, Uploaded on Apr 10, 2010
Music by one of the best singers from Cuba, Celia Cruz.
****
[added 1/20/2013]
Ultra Nate - Free (Super Extended Dance Vocal Mix)
vjcarlos21BR, Uploaded on Oct 7, 2010
Ultra Nate - Free (Super Extended Dance Vocal Mix)
****
RELATED LINKS
This post serves as a companion piece to the Pancocojams post, "Seven Black Female Singers With Blond Hair" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/seven-black-female-singers-with-blond.html. My editorial comment in that post considers the changing customs of an increased number of Black women dying their hair blond or red.
-snip-
Also, here's a link to a video of a recent very popular South African Gospel song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt-yOpEfZIE&playnext=1&list=PLC5ACB10AD642D912&feature=results_main Solly Mahlangu - Wa Hamba Nathi
Notice that two of the four women back-up singers have their hair dyed a red or reddish/brown color.
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to those whose comments I quoted in this post, to the performers in the featured videos, and to the uploaders of those videos.
All copyrights remains with their owners.
Thanks you for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comments are welcome.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Seven Black Female Singers With Blond Hair
Edited by Azizi Powell
I'm a Black woman who has consistently worn my hair in an afro since 1967. I consider myself afrocentric in that I'm particularly interested in Black cultures and I'm concerned about the well being of Black people throughout the world. But (And) I'm also interested in the cultures of non-Black people and I am also concerned about the well being of non-Black people throughout the world.
As an afrocentric* Black woman of "a certain age", I've noticed the return of the Black women and men wearing big afros. Although not as many Black people wear afros now as there were in the 1970s (check out Soul Train), in the last two years there has definitely been an increase of Black folks (mostly under 40 years old) wearing their hair in that style. I've also noticed an increase in the numbers of Black people wearing their hair in other natural styles like dreds and twists. And - what is even more surprising to me - is that a small, but still increasing number of Black women in the United States are wearing their hair bald - as a fashion statement. Not that that's completely new - the first time I saw a Black woman with a bald head as a fashion statement was in the late 1960s, but it certainly seems to me that though it's still only a few Black American women who wear their hair bald, the number is definitely more than it used to be, and that style appears to be much more accepted than it used to be.
Concurrently, many more Black American women are dying their hair blond (or wearing blong wigs) than ever before. More Black women are also dying their hair brighter colors of red, and wearing brighter colors of red (like Rihanna) than ever. Black women going blond or brighter red is a real change from back in the day.
Way back in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, especially among afrocentric Black folks, the overarching value was "being for real". You will recall that another name for the afro was "natural", and Aretha wasn't the only one who sang about the importance of being a "Natural Woman". Back in those days, it would have been un-thinkable for an afrocentric sista to wear a blond wig, or to dye her hair blond or any color of red, let alone bright red. To do so was considered a sign that she had issues with her "blackness" and she wanted to be White. But nowadays, check out that fine African sista Angelique Kidjo wearing her closely cropped blond afro. And check out any number of Black celebrities sportin their blond hair or their red hair in what ever textured style - crinkly, curly, straight whatever they want to do.
I think that there are still some afrocentric Black people who vehemently dislike Black women wearing their hair in these styles. But I also think that only a minority of Black people hold this viewpoint. It took me decades to reach this conclusion, but I'm now of the mind set that (to paraphase Bobby Brown), what people do with their hair is their perogative, they can do what they want to do.
Nowadays, I think that an increasing number of Black women are viewing their hair & other Black women's hair as fashion statements rather than as a reflection or proof of their or other people's Blackness.
While I wouldn't even dream of dying my hair blond, I have come to respect the rights of Black women to wear their hair any way they want to. And that includes dying their hair any color they want to just like women of any other race. Furthermore, I believe that most women who dye their hair blond do so as a fashion statement, and because they think they look good with their hair that color. I believe some people look better with blond hair then others. But what I consider attractive, others might not like at all. After all, "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
That said, I'm concerned that younger females - especially girls under 12 and under - will want to mimic women and particularly celebrities who wear their hair blond. I've not seen that happen yet, but I think it's probably only a matter of time that I will see young girls with blond hair. While I don't mind grown woman or even teens wearing their hair blond (though I wish teens wouldn't dye their hair any color at those ages). But I really don't approve of young girls dying their hair blond because of the possible long term health consequences of the chemicals in hair dye/tints. I also believe that there might also be psychological consequences to young girls wearing their hair blond if they equate that look with being sexy. However, I'm not convinced that blond hair is or has to be equated with being sexy.
I hasten to add that I know that there are some African Americans and some other Black people (and not just Black people from Melanesia) who have naturally blond hair.
That said, I still think that a lot of Black people still have issues with our hair, and still think that "good hair is hair like White folks" and "bad hair is hair like Black folks". We still have a lot of work to do in this area in helping people move past that corrosive viewpoint. And no amount of hair dye or wigs of whatever color can change the fact that people should love their own hair texture, and their hair color.
*By "afro-centric" I mean "having an interest in African cultures". I don't mean "to consider everything using the standard of so-called "Black ideas" or "ideals"."
I'm focusing on females although I'm sure that there are some Black males with their hair dyed blond. But among African Americans, if not other Black people, coloring one's hair is much more a female custom than a male one.
****
PRESENTATION OF VIDEOS
I recognize that this is only a small sample of the category of "Black female singers with blond hair". This compilation is presented as a means of documenting the fact that there were Black female singers through the decades (starting with the 1950s) who wore their hair blond or who wore a blond wig). I'm also publishing this post as a way of introducing folks to an eclectic complilation of various music style, all of which I'm loving (but some more than others).
These videos are posted in relative chronological order and not in any ranking order.
Without any further introductory comments, here are this post's featured videos.
****
Video #1: Joyce Bryant - Love For Sale [USA]
Uploaded by BronzeVenus on May 6, 2008
50's cabaret and nightclub sensation, Joyce Bryant, also known as the "Bronze Blonde Bombshell". Miss Bryant left the stage at the height of her career because she was unable to reconcile her hyper-sexual image with her Christian faith. 'Love For Sale' was banned from the radio because it was thought too provocative by censors. Bryant was under consideration for the lead role in the musical 'Carmen Jones' which ultimately went to Dorothy Dandridge.
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread:
"BEFORE Beyonce',Janet Jackson,Halle Berry...and others....it was this TRAIL-BLAZER who spray-painted her hair with silver paint to be distinquished from the REST! What an ICON! Love her!!!!"
-FourWomen, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15bMg8bnetw, 2009
****
Video #2: Etta James - Something's Got A Hold On Me - 1962 [USA]
Uploaded by SuperAhlberg on Nov 17, 2010
Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins; January 25, 1938 -- January 20, 2012) is an American blues, soul, R&B, rock & roll, gospel and jazz singer and songwriter. James is the winner of four Grammys and seventeen Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer. She is best known for performing "At Last", which has been featured in movies, television shows, commercials, and web-streaming services. James has a contralto vocal range.
****
Video #3: Mary J. Blige - Not Gon' Cry (from the Waiting To Exhale Movie Soundtrack, 1995-96) [USA]
Uploaded by lneka on Jun 23, 2009
Mary J. Blige Not Gon Cry from the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack © 1995-1996 Arista Records
****
Video #4: Eve - Tambourine [USA]
Uploaded by EveVEVO on Jun 16, 2009
Music video by Eve performing Tambourine. (C) 2007 Aftermath Records
****
Video #5: Beyoncé performs 'Single Ladies' on Good Morning America [USA]
Nahlan Rahmani, Uploaded on Feb 20, 2012
****
Video #6: Angelique Kidjo - I Got Dreams - unplugged [Benin, West Africa]
Uploaded by angeliquekidjo on Apr 30, 2010
Here the wonderful vocalist Angelique Kidjo from Benin, West Africa sings an Otis Redding song.
In this new year let us never forget to dream positive dreams and work to make those dreams a reality.
****
Video #7: Emeli Sande - Heaven [The United Kingdom]
Published on Jul 22, 2011 by EmeliSandeVEVO
From http://afroeurope.blogspot.com/2012/03/uk-singer-emeli-sande-scores-fastest.html
...”singer-songwriter Emeli Sande has made a chart-topping debut on the UK albums chart in February with her debut album "Next To Me".
Led by "Next To Me" and "Heaven", "Our Version of Events" is now the year's fastest selling album in the UK. It also the first album of the year to surpass 100k in sales first week" "
****
UPDATE 5/9/12
Here's another video of a Black woman singer with blond hair:
Juana Bacallao en concierto (2011)
Uploaded by NuevoHerald on Dec 22, 2011
Concierto de Juana Bacallao en The Place of Miami el sábado 17 de diciembre. Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald
-snip-
Here's some information about Juana Bacallao from http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_15235715 "Ageless Cuban diva Juana Bacallao still saucy at 85 Or is it 93" Posted: 06/06/2010
"It is well past midnight, and Juana Bacallao hasn't started work. The Cuban diva is still backstage, arranging her signature blond wig and adjusting her slinky red dress"...
Whatever the number, Bacallao is a musical powerhouse, a Friday-night must-see for locals and tourists alike who pack the Gato Tuerto — or One Eyed Cat — to hear her belt out Cuban salsa, son and guaracha classics, just as she has since Fidel Castro was a schoolboy...
Bacallao was a headliner in the 1940s and '50s at the renowned Tropicana nightclub, known as much for her risque personality as for her husky singing voice.
She appeared with such legends as Nat King Cole and Rita Montaner. She said she was friends with Chicago gangster Al Capone, a club regular who owned a mansion in Cuba's Varadero beach resort, and also knew mobsters Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky.
"She occupies a very singular place in Cuban culture, a place that is a bit hidden — the kingdom of the night," said Roberto Zurbano, a critic at Havana's Casa de Las Americas, which promotes music, literature and other fine arts throughout Latin America.
He said Bacallao is known for being unpredictable, suddenly stopping her act to put on makeup, or remove her wig...
She still enjoys a rabid following among Cuban night-owls and insists she wouldn't trade it for more fame, or the fortune that could have been made overseas.
"I know what life is — both poverty and wealth," Bacallao said. "This is my land. It is where I was born, and it is where I will die." "
Also, clip http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/patti-labelle-songs-hairstyles-part-1-r.html for a video of African American vocalist Patti Labelle with blondish brown hair.
****
UPDATE 1/16/2013
How could I have forgotten the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz?!
Here's a video of Celia Cruz with blond hair:
BAMBOLEO-CELIA CRUZ
CUTO SOSALSA, Uploaded on Dec 25, 2009
THE SUPER SESSION XI
-snip-
Celia Cruz is also featured in this pancocojams post http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/seven-videos-of-queen-of-salsa-celia.html "Seven Videos Of The Queen Of Salsa, Celia Cruz".
Another video of Celia Cruz is included in this companion piece to this post about Black female singers with blond hair: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/12/black-female-singers-with-red-hair.html "Black Female Singers With Red Hair".
****
RELATED LINK
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/non-white-people-with-naturally-blond.html Non White People With Naturally Blond Hair & Blue Eyes
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comments are welcome.
I'm a Black woman who has consistently worn my hair in an afro since 1967. I consider myself afrocentric in that I'm particularly interested in Black cultures and I'm concerned about the well being of Black people throughout the world. But (And) I'm also interested in the cultures of non-Black people and I am also concerned about the well being of non-Black people throughout the world.
As an afrocentric* Black woman of "a certain age", I've noticed the return of the Black women and men wearing big afros. Although not as many Black people wear afros now as there were in the 1970s (check out Soul Train), in the last two years there has definitely been an increase of Black folks (mostly under 40 years old) wearing their hair in that style. I've also noticed an increase in the numbers of Black people wearing their hair in other natural styles like dreds and twists. And - what is even more surprising to me - is that a small, but still increasing number of Black women in the United States are wearing their hair bald - as a fashion statement. Not that that's completely new - the first time I saw a Black woman with a bald head as a fashion statement was in the late 1960s, but it certainly seems to me that though it's still only a few Black American women who wear their hair bald, the number is definitely more than it used to be, and that style appears to be much more accepted than it used to be.
Concurrently, many more Black American women are dying their hair blond (or wearing blong wigs) than ever before. More Black women are also dying their hair brighter colors of red, and wearing brighter colors of red (like Rihanna) than ever. Black women going blond or brighter red is a real change from back in the day.
Way back in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, especially among afrocentric Black folks, the overarching value was "being for real". You will recall that another name for the afro was "natural", and Aretha wasn't the only one who sang about the importance of being a "Natural Woman". Back in those days, it would have been un-thinkable for an afrocentric sista to wear a blond wig, or to dye her hair blond or any color of red, let alone bright red. To do so was considered a sign that she had issues with her "blackness" and she wanted to be White. But nowadays, check out that fine African sista Angelique Kidjo wearing her closely cropped blond afro. And check out any number of Black celebrities sportin their blond hair or their red hair in what ever textured style - crinkly, curly, straight whatever they want to do.
I think that there are still some afrocentric Black people who vehemently dislike Black women wearing their hair in these styles. But I also think that only a minority of Black people hold this viewpoint. It took me decades to reach this conclusion, but I'm now of the mind set that (to paraphase Bobby Brown), what people do with their hair is their perogative, they can do what they want to do.
Nowadays, I think that an increasing number of Black women are viewing their hair & other Black women's hair as fashion statements rather than as a reflection or proof of their or other people's Blackness.
While I wouldn't even dream of dying my hair blond, I have come to respect the rights of Black women to wear their hair any way they want to. And that includes dying their hair any color they want to just like women of any other race. Furthermore, I believe that most women who dye their hair blond do so as a fashion statement, and because they think they look good with their hair that color. I believe some people look better with blond hair then others. But what I consider attractive, others might not like at all. After all, "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
That said, I'm concerned that younger females - especially girls under 12 and under - will want to mimic women and particularly celebrities who wear their hair blond. I've not seen that happen yet, but I think it's probably only a matter of time that I will see young girls with blond hair. While I don't mind grown woman or even teens wearing their hair blond (though I wish teens wouldn't dye their hair any color at those ages). But I really don't approve of young girls dying their hair blond because of the possible long term health consequences of the chemicals in hair dye/tints. I also believe that there might also be psychological consequences to young girls wearing their hair blond if they equate that look with being sexy. However, I'm not convinced that blond hair is or has to be equated with being sexy.
I hasten to add that I know that there are some African Americans and some other Black people (and not just Black people from Melanesia) who have naturally blond hair.
That said, I still think that a lot of Black people still have issues with our hair, and still think that "good hair is hair like White folks" and "bad hair is hair like Black folks". We still have a lot of work to do in this area in helping people move past that corrosive viewpoint. And no amount of hair dye or wigs of whatever color can change the fact that people should love their own hair texture, and their hair color.
*By "afro-centric" I mean "having an interest in African cultures". I don't mean "to consider everything using the standard of so-called "Black ideas" or "ideals"."
I'm focusing on females although I'm sure that there are some Black males with their hair dyed blond. But among African Americans, if not other Black people, coloring one's hair is much more a female custom than a male one.
****
PRESENTATION OF VIDEOS
I recognize that this is only a small sample of the category of "Black female singers with blond hair". This compilation is presented as a means of documenting the fact that there were Black female singers through the decades (starting with the 1950s) who wore their hair blond or who wore a blond wig). I'm also publishing this post as a way of introducing folks to an eclectic complilation of various music style, all of which I'm loving (but some more than others).
These videos are posted in relative chronological order and not in any ranking order.
Without any further introductory comments, here are this post's featured videos.
****
Video #1: Joyce Bryant - Love For Sale [USA]
Uploaded by BronzeVenus on May 6, 2008
50's cabaret and nightclub sensation, Joyce Bryant, also known as the "Bronze Blonde Bombshell". Miss Bryant left the stage at the height of her career because she was unable to reconcile her hyper-sexual image with her Christian faith. 'Love For Sale' was banned from the radio because it was thought too provocative by censors. Bryant was under consideration for the lead role in the musical 'Carmen Jones' which ultimately went to Dorothy Dandridge.
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread:
"BEFORE Beyonce',Janet Jackson,Halle Berry...and others....it was this TRAIL-BLAZER who spray-painted her hair with silver paint to be distinquished from the REST! What an ICON! Love her!!!!"
-FourWomen, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15bMg8bnetw, 2009
****
Video #2: Etta James - Something's Got A Hold On Me - 1962 [USA]
Uploaded by SuperAhlberg on Nov 17, 2010
Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins; January 25, 1938 -- January 20, 2012) is an American blues, soul, R&B, rock & roll, gospel and jazz singer and songwriter. James is the winner of four Grammys and seventeen Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer. She is best known for performing "At Last", which has been featured in movies, television shows, commercials, and web-streaming services. James has a contralto vocal range.
****
Video #3: Mary J. Blige - Not Gon' Cry (from the Waiting To Exhale Movie Soundtrack, 1995-96) [USA]
Uploaded by lneka on Jun 23, 2009
Mary J. Blige Not Gon Cry from the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack © 1995-1996 Arista Records
****
Video #4: Eve - Tambourine [USA]
Uploaded by EveVEVO on Jun 16, 2009
Music video by Eve performing Tambourine. (C) 2007 Aftermath Records
****
Video #5: Beyoncé performs 'Single Ladies' on Good Morning America [USA]
Nahlan Rahmani, Uploaded on Feb 20, 2012
****
Video #6: Angelique Kidjo - I Got Dreams - unplugged [Benin, West Africa]
Uploaded by angeliquekidjo on Apr 30, 2010
Here the wonderful vocalist Angelique Kidjo from Benin, West Africa sings an Otis Redding song.
In this new year let us never forget to dream positive dreams and work to make those dreams a reality.
****
Video #7: Emeli Sande - Heaven [The United Kingdom]
Published on Jul 22, 2011 by EmeliSandeVEVO
From http://afroeurope.blogspot.com/2012/03/uk-singer-emeli-sande-scores-fastest.html
...”singer-songwriter Emeli Sande has made a chart-topping debut on the UK albums chart in February with her debut album "Next To Me".
Led by "Next To Me" and "Heaven", "Our Version of Events" is now the year's fastest selling album in the UK. It also the first album of the year to surpass 100k in sales first week" "
****
UPDATE 5/9/12
Here's another video of a Black woman singer with blond hair:
Juana Bacallao en concierto (2011)
Uploaded by NuevoHerald on Dec 22, 2011
Concierto de Juana Bacallao en The Place of Miami el sábado 17 de diciembre. Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald
-snip-
Here's some information about Juana Bacallao from http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_15235715 "Ageless Cuban diva Juana Bacallao still saucy at 85 Or is it 93" Posted: 06/06/2010
"It is well past midnight, and Juana Bacallao hasn't started work. The Cuban diva is still backstage, arranging her signature blond wig and adjusting her slinky red dress"...
Whatever the number, Bacallao is a musical powerhouse, a Friday-night must-see for locals and tourists alike who pack the Gato Tuerto — or One Eyed Cat — to hear her belt out Cuban salsa, son and guaracha classics, just as she has since Fidel Castro was a schoolboy...
Bacallao was a headliner in the 1940s and '50s at the renowned Tropicana nightclub, known as much for her risque personality as for her husky singing voice.
She appeared with such legends as Nat King Cole and Rita Montaner. She said she was friends with Chicago gangster Al Capone, a club regular who owned a mansion in Cuba's Varadero beach resort, and also knew mobsters Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky.
"She occupies a very singular place in Cuban culture, a place that is a bit hidden — the kingdom of the night," said Roberto Zurbano, a critic at Havana's Casa de Las Americas, which promotes music, literature and other fine arts throughout Latin America.
He said Bacallao is known for being unpredictable, suddenly stopping her act to put on makeup, or remove her wig...
She still enjoys a rabid following among Cuban night-owls and insists she wouldn't trade it for more fame, or the fortune that could have been made overseas.
"I know what life is — both poverty and wealth," Bacallao said. "This is my land. It is where I was born, and it is where I will die." "
Also, clip http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/patti-labelle-songs-hairstyles-part-1-r.html for a video of African American vocalist Patti Labelle with blondish brown hair.
****
UPDATE 1/16/2013
How could I have forgotten the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz?!
Here's a video of Celia Cruz with blond hair:
BAMBOLEO-CELIA CRUZ
CUTO SOSALSA, Uploaded on Dec 25, 2009
THE SUPER SESSION XI
-snip-
Celia Cruz is also featured in this pancocojams post http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/seven-videos-of-queen-of-salsa-celia.html "Seven Videos Of The Queen Of Salsa, Celia Cruz".
Another video of Celia Cruz is included in this companion piece to this post about Black female singers with blond hair: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/12/black-female-singers-with-red-hair.html "Black Female Singers With Red Hair".
****
RELATED LINK
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/non-white-people-with-naturally-blond.html Non White People With Naturally Blond Hair & Blue Eyes
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comments are welcome.
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