Everyday is a throwback here at GFM. I haven’t repped for the old school in a minute so I thought I would post this gem from ’93. Back in the era where your label affiliation really meant something. Father MC, Jodeci, Mary J, Blige and Heavy D. all put it down and let us know in no uncertain terms that Uptown was still kickin’ it.

It’s unfortunate that in a very short time Uptown would go the way of so many cutting edge labels. But, nothing lasts forever… I think one of my favorite parts of this clip is when they had to actually bring “Puff Daddy” on stage, I’ll let that one marinate.

A must watch interview with Andre Harrell founder of Uptown Records. Sage advice, and truthfully, listening to Andre should give every indication as to why Uptown and his other ventures have been as successful as they have been.

Gotta give props to the good folks over at Soul Bounce for always bringing great music, new artists and concepts to the people. Well, they certainly didn’t disappoint with this one. 9 male artists covering Mary as you’ve never heard before. Each one, produced and performed magnificently but still maintaining their own artistic presence. Hard to do, when it comes to Mary, but listen for yourself and let us know what you think about it. This project is GFM Certified! Yes, Men Love Mary and we do too!

Fifteen years ago Mary J. Blige released My Life, a breakthrough album chronicling her inner struggles while catapulting her to superstardom as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. In celebration of this milestone, we gathered nine dynamic male artists to record re-imaginings of their favorite My Life songs for Men Love Mary: A Tribute to My Life, a digital EP presented by SoulBounce. The EP is hosted by one of Bad Boy’s legendary “Hitmen,” Chucky Thompson, who was a key producer on the My Life album.

My Life was a pivotal point in Mary’s career where her voice shined as a beacon of hope and understanding to men and women all over the world. Men Love Mary: A Tribute to My Life offers a fresh perspective from Eric Roberson, Jesse Boykins III, Slakah the Beatchild, Nino Moschella, Bradd Marquis, TL Cross, Darien, D Maurice, Fave and Siik–a new generation of artists inspired by her sincerity, longevity and artistry. My Life was about Mary’s relationship with one man, and now many men have reinterpreted these songs in an effort to pay tribute to an artist who has given us so much of herself.
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Intro: A generation can be defined as: “A group of persons living contemporaneously”. In this state of contemporary living there are many factors that serve as “Signs O’ The Times” (pun intended). Economics, politics, religion, the media etc., all play an integral part in influencing the music of every generation. Often, there is a disconnect between the music and the messengers of different generations which often pits members of different generations on opposing sides of the musical landscape. Interestingly enough, if we delve deeply enough into the subject matter of songs from purportedly opposing generations, often there is more that unites us on a human level than divides us.

In the spirit of the season we would encourage members of different generations to get together to discover and discuss the music of a different generation. This should be a time to put away the bias divides us and create an environment whereby each generation might learn from the other. As different as 1979 is from 2009 there are many similarities in how we relate to one another that should unite us.

Over the next few weeks we will compare and contrast songs from different eras that fall under a similar subject matter heading. We will examine topics ranging from relationships to materialism to simply having a good time. This is not a best of list or a popularity contest list but really it is a tool to spark some meaningful conversations, full of constructive debate that should lead to some “teachable moments”.

Ghostface Killah off the 2003 album, Ghostface Killah…Shaolin’s Finest [Explicit] (Epic).

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TONIGHT: Check out the queen of hiphop/r&b Mary J. Blige in these revealing clips talking about her husband and love, her true fans, and more from TV One on One with Cathy Hughes airing June 14 at 9pm (ET).

Mary J. talks her husband and finding love

Mary J. doesn’t “do alcohol”

Mary J. Blige talks about her true fans

TV One

Mary J. Blige, “Take Me As I Am” (Keri Hilson, Llewis Ezekiel, Candice Nelson,Nkhereanye, Thabisho/Smith, Liston/Suecof, Jordan), The Breakthrough (Universal International/Geffen/2006).

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Off the upcoming album, OnMyRadio, Atlantic/2008.

If you have trouble viewing the video, click here.
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