Black Music Month: Chips off the Old Block

As we celebrate our music this month, we should celebrate our musical families:  the Jacksons, Nevilles, Winans, and Braxtons, et al.  The Pips, Stairsteps, Gap Band, Five Star, Emotions.  As Sister Sledge sung, “We Are Family.” This coming week, in the nation’s capital, tribute will be paid to Ellis Marsalis, performing with his sons Wynton, Branford, Jason, and Delfayo along with Harry Connick Jr. and Dr. Billy Taylor.  Once again, the nation can witness another example of strong black male familial influence, listening to the soul and spirit passed on from father to sons, our nation’s music: jazz the undeniable evidence.

The relationships extend further than blood. Birdman mentoring Lil Wayne to the top of the hip-hop world is an example.  Etta James watching over girl groups on the road, as she had been out there longer than the wide-eyed young stars-to-be.  The countless adoptions and breaks given by performers who nurtured and gave other musicians a stage for the world to notice them.  The Isley brothers and a left handed guitarist named Jimi come to mind. Even when the apple falls a bit far from the tree, the love and support is still there. Despite the rumored separation with Kelis, we can expect Nas to be a supportive father, not surprising as his Dad, musician Olu Dara undoubtedly influenced his Illmatic son to find his own musical path, distinct from his, but no less accomplished.

Not to think that there is no pressure.  But what do you do, when your Mom or Dad is already famous for the thing you recognize as your gift as well?   How can your art not be compared? You work and hone your craft and believe that eventually you will come into your own.  And in your own right, you can often introduce your parent’s artistry to a new generation as Ziggy Marley is about to do with B is for Bob, a new collection of Bob Marley songs re-done for children.  The results of children and their parents’ musical collaboration are often unforgettable.

We continue to watch our musical families entertain and inspire us.  Behind the scenes like Mr. and Mrs. Knowles steering Destiny’s Child and now Beyonce and Solange, or following in more direct footsteps like Zoe Kravitz, Lenny and Lisa Bonet’s daughter with her new band Elevator Fight, Kristina DeBarge carrying on the family name with her debut single, and Sandflower Dyson, daughter of DK Dyson (Eye and I, original writer of Madonna's "Dress You Up In My Love").   We have the next bringing it now for tomorrow.  Our music is still being raised in our families, our songs, our expressions once and forever the product of our lives.

Sandflower Dyson

VeTalle Fusilier is a producer in Washington, DC. It's pronounced VEE-tal FEW-suh-LEER