Back 2 Da Future - Of Dance B2DFD

I often wonder how different Rick James’ life woulda been had MTV allowed him to play reindeer games in 81.

The lp was a victim of timing. Don’t get me wrong: 4 million units was nothin to scoff at but in 81 this lp shoulda sold 7 million. I know MTV keeps sliding the “we were just following rock radio protocol we had nothing against black singers” but as with how most of the country operates the feelings and comfort of “middle america” came first before all else & Rick —with his primitive exotic wildly sexual “watch your daughters/wives/girlfriends” demeanor was way too threatening for the status quo.

Columbia Records president Walter Yetnikoff had to threaten MTV for them to finally give in & put Michael Jackson in rotation. Prince/Lionel Ritche/Donna Summer/Musical Youth/Eddy Grant seemed harmless so they got in easy. Poor Herbie Hancock had to stay OUT of his “Rockit” video just to GET airplay. Imagine That.

Despite racism: Street Songs still made a mark. James was every bit the rock star and played the role to the hilt. Everytime I do research I get shocked on what I find:

Did yall know:

Ja’net “Wilona from Good Times” And Lawrence “Freddie Boom Boom Washington” or Joe Jackson in the Jacksons bio-series” Hilton Jacobs is singing background on 3 joints

Melvin “temptations sing!!!!!” Franklin is James’ 1st cousin

Narada Michael Waldon (super producer of EVERYTHING Mariah/Whitney/Aretha/etc) drummed on the entire lp

Super Freak is basically an 11 sec loop from a jam session that had a “magic part” James liked. They spliced the reel & looped it. This is why Daniel LeMelle’s sax solo at the end of the song repeats that refrain over and over. So basically Rick became his own sampling source taking the best parts of jam sessions and cutting/pasting

If you notice “Controversy” had a similar sound to “Give It To Me”/“Superfreak” it’s because James made it know he stole Dr Fink/Lisa Coleman’s pre programmed oberheim synths because “theirs sounded better” while on a 6 week break from touring w Prince.

I almost feel like the rejection of mainstream society (while watching them embrace others NOT him) did a job on him & he never recovered.

Shame