#latina musicians

[thesobsister]

Angela Bofill, "People Make the World Go 'Round"

From 1979, the great Angie Bofill takes the Thom Bell/Linda Creed slow jam for The Stylistics straight to the dance floor, with poppin' bass, Latin percussion, and a driving Brazilian jazz vibe.

[spacedouterri]

Hello!

My best friend if 10 years released her first single today on spotify

Shes amazingly talented and it would mean so much to me if you checked it out (and even saved it if you like it)

She's gonna be a star one day! I know it!

[imanisays]

[gothmusiclatinamerica]

Just learned about this book, A Kiss across the Ocean: Transatlantic Intimacies of British Post-Punk and US Latinidad by Richard T. Rodriguez, which talks about the fondness Latinos in the US famously have for 1980s post-punk musicians

[blackownersseekingsuccess]

The Resurgence of Cult Jam: Why Their Comeback Is Worth Celebrating

by Levi Wise Kenneth Catoe Jr.

Step back in time with me to the 1980s, when New York City's art scene was bursting with vibrancy and color. From the underground Hip Hop culture to the iconic Paradise Garage and Funhouse, the city was a haven for creatives of all kinds. Whether you were into New Wave, CBGB's Punk Rock, Graffiti art, or Breakdancing in Times Square, NYC was the place to be.

Amid all this creative energy emerged the musical group that would take the city by storm: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam featuring Full Force. "I Wonder If I Take You Home" sold out in record stores as the soulful voice of Lisa Velez and the group's unique sound made them an instant success.

But with fame came a price, and it was a steep one. Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Michael Hughes, one of the founding members of Cult Jam, and discuss the challenges that come with success in the music industry. From the highs of topping the pop, R&B, and dance charts to the struggles of navigating the industry's demands, We spoke in-depth regarding the price of fame. I was fortunate enough to have musician Michael Hughes share his insights on making it in the music business in the 1980s and today

Levi Wise Kenneth Catoe Jr.: How are you, Mr. Mike Hughes? You came out of a very vibrant art scene in NYC that pretty much centered around “you had to be there to understand” How would you describe those days in the early 1980's on W. 26th Street in NYC at the Funhouse? 

Michael Hughes: At that time in New York City, at that age was phenomenal. Music and dance were so experimental then. We had such a great variety of music. Not just House music, R&B, or just Funk and Disco if it had a great rhythm or said something special, it got played; mixed crowds, straight or gay, we danced all night. 

LWC: Back in those days you had innovators like Keith Haring, Basquiat, Jellybean Benitez, Madonna, Africa Bambata, Shep Pettibone, Mister Magic, Funky Four Plus One More, and on and on and on; even Sade once worked at the Danceteria what was it about that period in a time in which none of the useful tools that young people now have easily at their disposal is made available; but yet so much creativity came out of that scene of music artist, graffiti artist, makeup artist, DJ, dancers, etc.?

MH: When you appreciate and respect all that came before you. And feed on the creativity of those around you. It's impossible for the seeds of growth not to enter your soul.

LWC: Cult Jam was the first Street/Urban act that came out of Columbia Records which is now Sony take me through that from A&R to executive decisions it was apparent that they were jumping on a bandwagon by opening the door to an act that had street-cred yet were still musically accomplished to be a gateway for the Hip-Hop that followed once you guys opened the door with two #1 smash hits on the Pop charts Head To Toe which also topped R&B and Dance Charts as well, and Lost In Emotions which to me aged better than Head To Toe and that music video was amazing; especially given the time of cheap urban videos. What was your take on that?

MH: Cult Jam came out following in the footsteps of groups like "Secret Weapon ", Unlimited Touch, GQ, and Shannon; other groups and artists came behind us continuing the music flow. Labels and the so-called powers that like to put music in boxes/categories so they can control what they usually don't even understand. 

LWC: CBS/Columbia Records {note: CBS/Columbia records is now SONY} did a poor job promoting the group the name was too long ‘Lisa, Lisa & Cult Jam featuring Full Force’ I feel it was a marketing strategy that was also being used with Miami Sound Machine to breakup the act and create a solo space for Lisa Lisa (Lisa Velez) do you agree? 

MH: The add-on to our name ‘Cult Jam’ was merely a shot in the dark at marketing something catchy. You never really know about that stuff. We used to say what's in a name. It's a stupid name until you have a hit.

LWC: How has the music industry changed since those early years? 

MH: The industry is different now, but what remains the same is money makes promotion make success. 

LWC: Do you guys, Cult Jam {note: founding member drummer/keyboardist Michael (Cultjam)Hughes, guitarist/bassist Alex (Spanador) Mosely, and their latest female vocalist/soultress, Long Island native Mystina Sol} feel more empowered today, or was the industry machine better than the social media and internet freedoms of today?

MH: We as a lot of indie artists are empowered. We can create something we love 100% with no interference or someone looking over our shoulder. Those creations can feel like your children. But the company machine can be very helpful. There is a give and take in every situation. Life is full of compromise. 

LWC: Talk a bit about where you are now and Cult Jam in its current form and describe your music genre. Are you still under the umbrella of Hip Hop and freestyle? What is the evolution?

MH: Cult Jam music can be best described then and now as feel-good-good. You dance and sing we supply the ambiance.

LWC: I represent a Black Literature space as well as a college student base that often is unaware of music beyond the same mainstream artist that’s constantly being streamed if there was one song of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam to introduce them to your music what would that one song be?

MH: I wonder if I take you home our first puts you into the feel of what comes in the colors of Cult Jam. Celebrate what love can do from our current creations and keep that sexy feel essence. 

LWC: So now my question is how would you introduce someone unfamiliar with your previous music to who you are as Cult Jam today?

MH: Seeing Cult Jam live has always been what represents us best. We were a touring band from day one.

LWC: Thank you so much for speaking with our audience today. You are a boss.

MH: Much love and appreciation - Mike "Cult Jam" Hughes. 

*New Music* Holding Back The Years - Cult Jam / 2024

Levi Wise Kenneth Catoe Jr.

Editor, BOSS NYC

[toadlyturtle]

@SabiLewSounds is in urgent need of:

$590 hotel, by 8/29 ($60/$650 received)

$330 car payment, by 8/29

$030 hurricane supplies

$050 urgent toiletries & bunny hay

Total $1000

-$1200 August Deficit

Sabi, elderly mom with dementia & emotional support bunny are homeless & in need of mutual aid. Temps in 90's, during hurricane season.

[lanicorain]

Hola-a-a.

Dejo por aquí mi single debut "Feliz". Me gusta decir que su género es "acid trova". Si les gusta Jorge González tomé un montón de ideas suyas y las regurgité. La primera persona que lo compre (más o menos 900 pesos) se gana una invitación a comer en el Kiosko Roca.

[seeyainneverland]

Why do you create this blog ?

Often, I really want to leave everything to go and meet new cultures, new people, share moments of life, joy...

But my fears, my anxieties slow me down. Maybe because I'm a woman? Because I don't have money enough? I don't trust in my english? All these things that prevent me from living fully.

So, I create this pictures, this worlds and finally this blog to help me to dilute this frustrations and just travel into my imagination. Create beautiful places and make me dream, I do this for me but I know others people need that too for their reasons.

I live in reality, I work, I pay my factures, I have familly, friends, boyfriend, I have a cat too but sometimes, the reality is just too violent and heavy, that it's good to take a break, put your brain in pause and just dream ;)

Maybe I will post real pictures of my travels soon but right now it will be that

_

Pourquoi créer ce blog ?

Très souvent j'ai envie de tout plaquer et partir vivre à l'étranger, découvrir de nouvelles cultures, de nouvelles personnalités, partager des moments de vie et de joie...

Mais la réalité c'est que mes peurs et mes angoissent me freinent. Parce que je suis une femme? Parce que je n'ai pas assez d'argent? Parce que je n'ai pas pleinement confiance en mon anglais? Toutes ces questions m'empêchent de vivre pleinement mes rêves.

Du coup, je crée ces images, des endroits fabuleux et finallement ce blog pour tenter de diluer toutes ces frustrations, me faire kiffer et surtout me faire rêver. Je le fais pour moi mais je sais qu'il y a d'autres personnes pour qui réaliser leurs rêves d'aventures peut-être compliqué pour leurs raisons.

Je vis dans la réalité, je travaille, je paie mes factures, j'ai une familly, des ami.e.s, un petit-ami, j'ai même un chat mais parfois la réalité me semble tellement pesante que j'ai besoin de me ressourcer, de prendre l'air et juste mettre mon cerveau en pause quelques instants et c'est ok ;)

Peut-être qu'un jour je posterais de vraies images de mes voyages mais pour le moment ce sera celles créer par mon imaginaire

[teach-or-trav]

If you study some of the greatest artists you will start to see patterns emerge.

Miles Davis had his sketches of Spain 🇪🇸

Prince would write record and mix a song in a day(Purple Rain 🌂 and 1999). A woman named Susan Rogers was Prince’s audio engineer and described Prince’s music as gesture sketches that would come out like a sneeze.

Leonardo Davincis Sketch books are still revered by many to this day.

My hope is that by studying the greats I can see where success has left clues. Then take those lessons and apply them to my own art and creative process.

[Bet] Dembow Sketch 9 is an example of such a work for me. I hope you enjoy 🙏🏾💯🙏🏾

[music-panama]

señorita Panamá