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the book is forthcoming. by Danyel Smith. a history of black women in pop. from It Books/HarperCollins (2014). now writing. tumbling this stuff keeps me inspired, and keeps my brain sane.
Posts tagged djs

'...All of us, consumers, execs, DJs, lovers and friends have done our part to push R&B out to make way for anything and everything that will “cross over.” Anything that will make a fist pump, and anything that can become a dance jam...' 

behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: August 16, 1980 - “Upside Down” by Diana Ross hits #1 on the…R&B singles chart for 4 weeks, topping the Club Play chart for 5 weeks (non-consecutive w/ “I’m Coming Out”), also topping the Hot 100 for 4 weeks on September 6th. Written and produced by Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers, it is one of the first songs completed for the “diana” album. Initially titled “The Work Song”, it will be recorded in November 1979 at The Power Station in New York. Intially, the first single released from the album is set to be “I’m Coming Out” which is assigned a catalog number (M1491 F) and prepped for release. However, it is abruptly withdrawn and “Upside Down” is issued instead (as M1494 F), which also receives an enthusiastic response from club DJ’s and R&B radio. Issued on June 25, 1980 (five weeks after the albums’ release), the record will quickly rise to the top of the…Club Play chart and climb the R&B chart in short order. Though it will initially struggle on the pop charts, taking five weeks to reach the top 50. Then suddenly, “Upside Down” will leap frog from #49 to #10 on the Hot 100 on August 9th. After that, it will reach #1 four weeks after that. Surprisingly, “Upside Down” will become Diana Ross’ first single to officially be certified Gold by the RIAA. Motown did not become a member of the RIAA until 1980, prior to the songs’ release. 

#sheiseverywoman