The hip hop community and fans worldwide are shocked and saddened; a rap pioneer -Adam Yauch
(better known as MCA of the legendary group -- Beastie Boys), has died at age 47. But although MCA's 'physical' is no longer perceivable, hip hop celebrates the spirit of those, like Adam, who've helped blaze its revolutionary trail through popular culture.
As [a] founding member of the Beastie Boys rap group, MCA rocked the mic with fellow group MC's - Mike D and Ad-Rock, and Mix Master Mike spinning the tables to their funky, funky hits.
Before the group decided to express their combined art through rap music, they first chose hardcore punk as the genre of choice. In 1983, the 'B-Boys' started flirting with hip hop and expressed their new-found love like most MC's do...they released a 12 inch single: 'Cooky Puss'.
A year later, in 1984, the Beastie Boys and hip hop were married to the rap game, and their first offspring [album] was Licensed to Ill, released in 1986.
"It was the first hip hopLP to top the Billboard 200 chart. It was also Columbia Records' fastest-selling debut record to date and sold over 9 million copies."And judging from the group's worldwide impact and fanbase following, being married to hip hop has been mighty good for one of hip hop's illest group of MC's.
They were pioneers, no doubt!
"They are one of the longest lived hip hop acts worldwide and continue to
enjoy commercial and critical success in 2011, more than 25 years after
the release of their debut album. The group has been selected as part
of the 2012 induction class into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, after being eligible since 2007." [Source: Wikipedia]
hip hop culture was, is, and should [forever] be -- a unifying force of loyal expression of self, for the benefit of humanity.
In spite of his battle with acancerous parotid salivarygland, which is the likely cause of [his] death, in his personal life, Yauch practiced and becamea voice for Buddhism, and the struggle for independence of the Tibetan people, specifically.
He was so devoted to his spiritual practice and beliefs that, in the spirit of hip hop, he put his money, and his heart, where his mouth was."He created the Milarepa Fund, a non-profit organization devoted to
Tibetan independence, and organized several benefit concerts to support
the cause."
RIPMCA 04.05.1964 - 05.04.2K12
Way to spit the ill,
raspy rhymes!
"If you can feel what I'm feeling then it's a musical
masterpiece. If you can hear what I'm dealing with then that's
cool at least. What's running through my mind comes through in my
walk. True feelings are shown from the way that I talk" -MCA, [Pass the Mic - 1992]
creator and conductor of hit show - 'Soul Train' ___________________________
For millions of, primarily, African American consumers, and hundreds if not thousands of performers, musicians and celebrities who have enjoyed viewing and dancing to weekday afternoon ("Soul Train premiered on WCIU-TV on August 17, 1970, as a live show airing weekday afternoons") and Saturday morning 'get-downs', from 1970 to present date, on the Soul Train, the news of the shows legendary creator, writer, executive producer, and host - Don Cornelius' tragic death, allegedly by suicide according to police detectives, came as a shocking and sad pronouncement.
Although preliminary reports suggest that cause of death leans toward [the] likelihood that Cornelius died due to self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the Los Angeles Police Department, along with the L.A. County coroner's office, will conduct and complete a thorough investigation.
So what happened, DC? If you did take yourself out the game, why, bro? If your life was taken against your will, however, then who did it?
These are obvious big "if" questions that no one but Mr. Cornelius can truthfully answer, but unfortunately he can't communicate an answer to us -- fans, admirers, friends, associates and loved ones. Once the official police investigation and coroner's cause of death is determined and made public, rumors surrounding foul play or suicide can and should be put to rest - hopefully.
Aside from wondering "why", "how" and "when" - fans and celebrities have continued to voice their fond memories and well wishes to the iconic legacy of Don Cornelius, and his family.
As mentioned earlier, noted for his historic hit show - 'Soul Train',
the production holds the record for years on television, and "will continue to hold the honor of the longest, continuously running
first-run syndicated program in television history until at least 2016".
Long before talent and showcase entertainment programs like MTV, America's Got Talent, The X Factor, American Idol and others captured the imagination of pop culture -- 'Don C' envisioned what would years later become this televised genre's original blue-print! "In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip-hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared." Of the multitude of guest entertainers who have performed on America's original 'band stand' -- it was incredible talents like Marvin Gaye, and many others, who benefited from Cornelius' hit show.
So in celebration of the life, times, and going-forward of former back-up disc jockey (DJ), news reader, sports reporter, touring (MC) emcee, promoter, producer, show host, writer, and television executive with O.G. swagg status - Don Cornelius; here's to you and the train of souls who, in your memory, continue to claim the boogie, want the funk, show the love...and pass the peace!
World Famous
'Soul Train'
Line_________________________________
and the
"He quit his day job to take a three-month broadcasting course in 1966 despite being married with two sons and only $400 in his bank account."
Check DC's 'funky-fly' wardrobe: tight sun-shaped afro, pinky rings (yes, two of them), fat silk tie, and crush velvet jacket -- big swagg 'Soul Train' conductor gettin' it in!
'The Don' even showed love to local youngsters who possessed new, innovative and unusual talents, like 'locking', rapping, and similar artistic forms of expression, which paved the way for future generations.
And without the vision, daring hustle, and business acumen of Don Cornelius, we would not be enjoying annual televised showcased talent, on the'Soul Train Music Awards',
which recognizes and honors outstanding achievements in Black music and entertainment.
"Past hosts for the show include such R&B luminaries as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith, Vanessa Williams, Cedric The Entertainer, Gladys Knight" and countless others. The show gives out many awards to worthy recipients, but none have overshadowed the accomplishments, and more importantly, contributions of the award show's pioneering architect. Among many well deserved acknowledgements, 'The Don' has been nominated and honored by the industry he served with velvet flava.
In 1974, Cornelius was nominated for the 'Daytime Emmy' award, for best writing for a talk, service or variety program. Trumping his nomination in 1974, he won the 'Pop Culture' award for his hit show - 'Soul Train' in 2005. And to top it off, in 1997, O.G. - 'Don C' received, for the category of television, a star on the 'Walk of Fame' in Hollywood, California, located at 7060 Hollywood Blvd.
No question, the king of hustle has made his legendary mark on American pop culture, music and entertainment. Thanks for the ride, 'DC'!
Rest in Peace (RIP):
Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius
(September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012)
"Bet your last money, it's all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!" ~Don Cornelius
Fans and celebrities react to death of Don Cornelius - TV's 'Black King of Hustle':
"Don Cornelius was a pioneer & a trailblazer. He was the first
African-American to create, produce, host and more importantly OWN his
own show." — Earvin "Magic" Johnson
"God bless him for the solid good and wholesome foundation he provided
for young adults worldwide, and the unity and brotherhood he
single handedly brought about with his most memorable creation of 'Soul
Train.'" — Aretha Franklin
"We all have a great debt. His work in the 60s and 70s helped us to see,
again, that human beings, we're more alike than we were unalike and the
music and the people he showed allowed us to see. Showed us how the
music, the gifts of the African American, to this country and to the
world were great gifts and belonged to everybody all the time." — Maya
Angelou
"I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend,
colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius. Don was a visionary
pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was 'Soul Train,'
that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to
television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My
heart goes out to Don's family and loved ones." — Quincy Jones
"The Soul Train legacy will show you how great this man was. And Soul
Train became such a great icon, not only did black people want to be on
Soul Train, but you had Elton John, you had The Bee Gees, you had ever
white artists wanting to be on. Soul Train became the thing to do. Don
Cornelius didn't do pop artists the way that a lot of the shows did
black artists; he included everybody on his show." — songwriter Kenny
Gamble
"I have known him since I was19-years-old and James Brown had me speak
on 'Soul Train.' He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way
that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a
global level." — The Rev. Al Sharpton
"So sad! A great guy & happy memories from Solid Gold & StarSearch: (hash)RIP" — Robin Leach
"Sad to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius of Soul Train fame.
Grateful to him that he turned me on to so much great music."
— musician
Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins
"Sad to hear of passing of Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train. He was a
super nice man. Had many nice talks w/ him at the golf range. RIP"
—
comedian Jon Lovitz
"RIP don cornelius. A legend, a pioneer, a genius. In your immortal
words "love peace & soul" make God boogie & Jesus do the Robot."
— Marlon Wayans
"RIP Don Cornelius. LOVE PEACE AND SOOOOUUULLLL 4eva"
— Snoop Dogg
"Don Cornelius was a pioneer & a trailblazer. He was the first
African-American to create, produce, host and more importantly OWN his
own show." — Earvin "Magic" Johnson
