New Jack Swing

post brought to you by: dyson

There are more genres of music than I can count on 20+ hands. But one that seems to have gotten lost in the mix (but desperately needs a revival) is New Jack Swing.

In the close circle of people I can really get into music with, New Jack lives on strong. (Ledyard being a strong advocate as well) But I feel in the mainstream it has been lost to the wind. And this deeply saddens me. It was incredibly successful at blending popular genres that have lived on: R&B/Soul and Hip Hop. Genres that fit each other like white on rice. (besides of course Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock mixing Hard Rock and Rap…)

So why did New Jack go the way of the dinosaurs? Am I here on earth with the sole purpose to break down karaoke walls with one man renditions of Boyz II Men tunes?? (I have proof they go over well. Especially in local St. Thomas bars)

Did the fashion not hold up? The haircuts? The straight to the point lyrics? The jams the went on just a bit too long? The fact that every New Jack song needed to incorporate some odd bridge that made no sense to the rest of the song and HAD to include the name of the band in the lyrics? WHAT WAS IT!!??

I was there when TLC was rockin’ condoms as earrings. I was there when New Edition told the Telephone Man that there was something wrong with his line. I was there when Tony! Toni! Tone! told me I was Still a Man and they were Thinking of me. I was definitely there when Boyz II Men told us the tales of MotownPhilly. Help me out here folks. What happened?

Maybe this is a mystery that will never have an ending.

There is only one saving grace in this whole mystery. And he comes in the form of one smoooooth ass man by the name of Raphael Saadiq. He was there in the spotlight of New Jack. And guess what, he hasn’t left us. He’s only progressed into a bigger and better man but still holding onto to those swing roots that were driven from Motown itself. Saw him recently live and he will knock your socks off. (mind you the work he has done with MANY MANY artists helping them forward their craft to great levels).

So if there ever comes for a petition or movement to kick us back in the ways of New Jack Swing, consider me first on the list. You won’t find a mix I make without incorporating at least one or two New Jack tunes. God bless the artists of that era. May they live on and resurface to the top of the charts. (or playlists at least…)