The time is always ripe to listen to good music. Black Music Month is exactly what it states. It is a month that is designed to esteem African American music and their culture. As noted in the HuffPost, the inception of Black Music Month came from former President Jimmy Carter. It was further pushed into legislation by music producer Kenny Gamble and his ex-wife Dyana Gamble. Gamble is know as the Godmother of Black Music Month as confirmed by Ebony. There are so many genres of black music to appreciate.
In light of these King-Papa Stars: Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise, I wanted to give honor to them and their legacies in my own way by celebrating them during Black Music Month. They are also know as the Exonerated 5. I know many folks have heard of their tragedy. Even more have watched the film illustrating the traumatic experiences they had to go through. If you haven't, I encourage you to watch the story about their lives. Ava DuVernay produced a brilliant film on Nexflix. The songs below are comprised of the year (1989) when the five men were suspects in the rape of a woman jogging in Central Park New York. The five men were wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit in 1990. I was so tempted to do songs from 1981 and other songs represented in the 1980 era. It was hard not to cheat. I stayed true to all of the 1989 songs. I could have done songs in the 1990 era but I chose to symbolize there stories with the period that changed their lives.
In light of these King-Papa Stars: Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise, I wanted to give honor to them and their legacies in my own way by celebrating them during Black Music Month. They are also know as the Exonerated 5. I know many folks have heard of their tragedy. Even more have watched the film illustrating the traumatic experiences they had to go through. If you haven't, I encourage you to watch the story about their lives. Ava DuVernay produced a brilliant film on Nexflix. The songs below are comprised of the year (1989) when the five men were suspects in the rape of a woman jogging in Central Park New York. The five men were wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit in 1990. I was so tempted to do songs from 1981 and other songs represented in the 1980 era. It was hard not to cheat. I stayed true to all of the 1989 songs. I could have done songs in the 1990 era but I chose to symbolize there stories with the period that changed their lives.
I absolutely had to start off with some old school Hip-Hop for King Korey Wise. Incidentally if you ever visit his Instagram you will visibly see that King Korey is a huge fan of old school Hip-Hop and Rap music. The Self Destruction movement had all the great legends: KRS-One, MC Lyte, Heavy D, Doug E. Fresh, D-Nice, and Public Enemy, to name a few. This music speaks on the positive elements of using their voices to enlighten and lift up their communities against self-hate and destruction. Black on black crime was not cool and still isn't. Love your brothers! I selected this song because despite what these brothers have unjustly gone through, the way they live their Sancti-Fly lives is extremely positive. Of course they have their challenges but they stalwartly refuse to let what happened to them consume them. America has a Self Destruction problem they will have to confront within the criminal justice system.
This next song reminds me of the innocence that was stolen from them. They were ONLY boys when their lives were histrionically changed. I will not give away too much for those who have not seen "When They See Us" yet, but there is a scene in the beginning when the young boys were just being kids. Korey Wise had some deep affection for a pretty young girl and they shared a special moment in a restaurant. Can you imagine your life being instantly turned upside down and you just wished it was like it used to be?
I strategically chose this song in light of the Exonerated 5 being young boys who were hated by the world for something they did not do. All of their families were affected by the outcome of their convictions. When they were incarcerated it was only them (Me Myself And I) trying to survive and stay alive. Korey, Antron, Kevin, Raymond, and Yusef are brave soldiers. They reigned in their intellect against all the negative effects.
In 2002 the prayers of the righteous availed very much. A lot of folks knew they were innocent and they slayed in prayer for many years. An investigation was opened and they found the actual man that committed the crime. Freedom was making a way out of new days. You have to watch it! Prayer always works. Never stop praying. I picked this song because prayer positions the change! You have to keep on believing. Sometimes that is your test! So shall you pass the test of faith.
I hand-picked this 1989 song because of all the lies involving the police. They were lying from the beginning. The prosecutorial misconduct was ugly, mean, and nasty. There will be no more lies. The truth is fierce! No more lies now! Well, those who should be ashamed are not. They are sticking to their fabrications.
Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise are living their best lives right about now. I am so thankful so many people are surrounding them with love and support. They have supportive families and businesses. A lot of them work to reform the criminal justice system. They also engage in motivational speaking to share their stories; sharing information to change this nation.
This last song is powerful! They are not going to stop speaking their truth. They are not going to stop being Sancti-Fly Papas. They are not going to stop until justice is fully served. Keep on moving brothers! Dont' stop!
