Popular R&B music in the 80s went through a crossover phase most notably kicked off by Prince’s mega-hit, “1999” album, then the monster successes of Michael Jackson’s, “Thriller”, and then Lionel Richie’s, “Can’t Slow Down”.
I remember reading an Ebony interview with Lionel, where he stated something to the effect of, “I don’t feel obligated to put more funk and bass on my songs just because Black people want to hear that. I’ll remove those things to appeal to a wider (whiter) audience.”
Now personally, I was ok with what Prince did. He was always eclectic from the beginning. He was being himself. Michael Jackson had, “Beat It”, true. But he also had “PYT”, “Lady in My Life”, “Billie Jean” and others for US to groove to.
I was put off by Lionel Richie’s comments. I watched R&B music in America almost completely cross over by the mid 80s, and I stepped away from Black radio for the most part, for a couple of years because it felt like my beloved music was being watered down for white consumption.
Around 1985 at the height of all this, I read an Ebony interview with Frankie Beverly. He was asked if he was gonna be a part of the crossover wave. He replied something along these lines, “I won’t change my music to fit the trends. My allegiance will always be to my people, Black folks. Black people got us where we are and my music will always be for US first.”
I loved that brother for that and he had my respect forever. Black folks felt the love Frankie and Maze had for us. You could hear it in their music and feel the vibe at their concerts. The respect of wearing all white when in attendance. “Live in New Orleans” was my favorite album. For many years of my life, Maze was my favorite group.
Mister Frankie Beverly, thank you for the amazing, beautiful, soulful music of life, love, unity, endurance and hope that you and your friends gave to us. You will never be forgotten.
I remember reading an Ebony interview with Lionel, where he stated something to the effect of, “I don’t feel obligated to put more funk and bass on my songs just because Black people want to hear that. I’ll remove those things to appeal to a wider (whiter) audience.”
Now personally, I was ok with what Prince did. He was always eclectic from the beginning. He was being himself. Michael Jackson had, “Beat It”, true. But he also had “PYT”, “Lady in My Life”, “Billie Jean” and others for US to groove to.
I was put off by Lionel Richie’s comments. I watched R&B music in America almost completely cross over by the mid 80s, and I stepped away from Black radio for the most part, for a couple of years because it felt like my beloved music was being watered down for white consumption.
Around 1985 at the height of all this, I read an Ebony interview with Frankie Beverly. He was asked if he was gonna be a part of the crossover wave. He replied something along these lines, “I won’t change my music to fit the trends. My allegiance will always be to my people, Black folks. Black people got us where we are and my music will always be for US first.”
I loved that brother for that and he had my respect forever. Black folks felt the love Frankie and Maze had for us. You could hear it in their music and feel the vibe at their concerts. The respect of wearing all white when in attendance. “Live in New Orleans” was my favorite album. For many years of my life, Maze was my favorite group.
Mister Frankie Beverly, thank you for the amazing, beautiful, soulful music of life, love, unity, endurance and hope that you and your friends gave to us. You will never be forgotten.
Thanks for the memories 
