You're not wrong, but I struggle with this. I hate when some black people act like some shit can't be 'for them' because 'other people' might like it too. Or even if the person making the art was trying to bring everyone in for whatever reason (the label, their own aspirations, whatever).

Like how did we decide that MJ and Prince 'weren't black enough' at some point just cuz they weren't making all of the same shit that Freddie Jackson or Alexander Oneal would?

And I'm not totally sure that this didn't help screw up the music even more. Because it narrowed things down too much in my opinion. And then it allowed people to try to over-categorize everything to the point where you had people saying shit like 'reel hiphop' and 'rap music' are dramatically different. And some of those same folks were saying shit like JayZ wasn't a hiphop artist cuz he was selling too much and he was making 'hit singles'. This is adorable now of course because going back and listening makes it obvious that Jayz was bringing houses down on a reg and his albums had all sorts of 'reel emcees are totally hearing this shit and wishing they could've done something like it' songs on them.

And also, PEOPLE LIE ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME. If you make something that's too tied to 'just black people', you're Keke Wyatt or some shit now. Anthony Hamilton. And then, some black people will limit you to the BBQ or the shit they play when their cool uncles come to the house to play spades or fix their dishwasher. THAT IS THAT BULLSHIT RIGHT THERE, ISN'T IT!? I'm not saying I want Anthony Hamilton getting fucked with about his tweets, but he shouldn't be relegated to 'Uncle Marquis is coming by to help me put in these ceiling fans' either, should he?

>were primarily Black for the most part.
>
>Someone else shared the idea (pfire?) here that has stuck with
>me that Prince and MJJ changed R&B because they made it Pop
>music with primarily white audiences. SO that became the goal
>for R&B Music. Lionel Richie chased it, Whitney Chased it.
>
>IT's like the difference between New Edition and Boys II Men.
>Boys II Men reached heights that New Edition never reached but
>its New Edition that we talk about and still listen to today
>because they made R&B music for Black People.
>
>In Manhattan there are very few Black Restaurants (outside of
>Harlem) like there were back in the day because now the Black
>people just go to the same restaurants like everyone else. So
>there is no Shark Bar, Justins, etc. I feel like the same
>thing has happened to R&B.
>
>I was lightweight tight when Beyonce remade before I let go
>because I was like "Nooo, don't give them Frankie Beverly!"
>He's the one they still haven't "discovered" yet!
>
>Anyway, rambling here. THere is a more cohesive idea
>somewhere here if I think about it more and give it more time.
>
>
>
>**********
>"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then
>they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson
>
>"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"