What Would Thembi Do? » Music

Prince: Diamonds and Pearls

Thembi Ford — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:43:59 +0000

Today is Prince’s birthday, and in spite of all the years of musical enjoyment he’s provided I’m kind of mad at him right now. The first fit of anger is toward the fact that he’s fifty-two years old and looks…

This Week’s Love/Hate Relationship With Black Pop Culture

Thembi Ford — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:09:50 +0000

I don’t usually start with something I hate, but as you’ve surely heard by now hip-hop legend Guru is having serious health issues and is in the hospital after a string of crises involving a heart attack, asthma attack, and…

Alphonso Ribero and Chaka Khan on Celebrity Duets

Thembi Ford — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:54:23 +0000

A few days ago Dj Stylus shared this video on Facebook and I haven't been able to shake it since. He quipped, "I'm surprised that I saw this before Thembi, aka the mistress of all things obscure and Negronian." Yeah thanks, but courtesy of this video I've developed a mild phobia related to brown leather and fringes. I'd never seen Fox's Celebrity Duets let alone this performance, but there is so much squatting and doing-the-most-ness on the part of Alphonso Ribero that Chaka Khan's trademark extraness is almost a mere distraction. Just watch

The “Babyface Made R&B” Song Set!

Thembi Ford — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:44:50 +0000

Have you checked out Songza Sets yet? A Set is a collection of 12 songs based on a topic or theme, and I just guest-curated "Babyface Made R&B." I had a weird sort of "non-sexual, sing-songs-to-me-with-your-ol'-curl-havin'-self" crush on him back in the day so I had a blast! Have a listen and let me know what you think.

Kid & Play On The Mo’Nique Show … A Comeback?

Thembi Ford — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:37:52 +0000

Whenever I see Christopher “Kid” Reid on VH-1 or in a random commercial I ask “where is Play?” Play is the one I had a crush on, the one who was *really* cute, and, frankly, more than 50%…

“What The Eff?” Wednesday: Who Is Corey Johnson aka Musicorey?

Thembi Ford — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:36:54 +0000

People always ask me, "Thembi, how do you find this stuff?" Well, this week I'm going to walk you through the process because there is no reason why a perfectly sane woman such as myself should be asking any questions about Corey Johnson. Please bear with me as I take you through the tragically painful journey of discovering all there is to know about this person.

“What The Eff?” Wednesday: Ten Crazy Christmas Album Covers

Thembi Ford — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:28:11 +0000

Everyone who is anyone has a Christmas album, but in a rush to take advantage of our holiday cheer (i.e. trick us into buying bad music just because its Christmas-y) some artists have to cut corners on the cover art. Here are 10 prime examples of such ridiculousness.

10. "Naughty or Nice" - 3LW

The gall of 3LW to release a Christmas album at all (let alone with only two members, one of which is wearing a Christmas fur bra top)

“What The Eff?” Wednesday: Santo Gold v. Santigold

Thembi Ford — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:02:47 +0000

When recording artist Santogold changed her name to Santigold I wasn't really paying attention. I heard something about there being another artist who already had that name and kept it moving. But did you know that the man behind the name change is a tragically weird infomercial/jeweler/musician from the 1980's? He brought legal action against Santi for infringement, saying that by her use of the name Santogold she was "crushing [his] hopes of continuing his music and acting career." Really? 'Cause I ain't never heard

H-Town and Jodeci Are Back…Sort Of.

Thembi Ford — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:24:46 +0000

I don’t know who all has been anticipating H-Town’s comeback, especially since lead singer Dino died tragically in 2003. Oh, and that when Dino passed, H-Town was actually about to release their FOURTH album since their 1993 debut Fever For…

Random Throwback

Thembi Ford — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:58:19 +0000

I've been thinking a lot about what qualities I find attractive in the opposite sex and realized that above all else dudes who remind me of Gerald Levert have an automatic edge. This oldies tribute performance by Levert and Boyz II Men from the 1992 NAACP awards will have to do for today, though.