The afternoon threads this week will include songs recorded by groups of 4 or more celebrity participants. The recordings benefited various charities and most were created in response to tragic events, but speak to hope, love and unity.
“Freedom” (theme from Panther) is a 1995 song released on Mercury Records featuring a chorus of over 60 African-American female artists and groups of note in hip-hop, pop and R&B music including Aaliyah, Vanessa L. Williams, Mary J. Blige, MC Lyte, Coko, En Vogue, SWV, TLC, and Monica. The vocals were arranged by Angie Stone, and Me’Shell Ndegéocello contributed bass guitar as well. Dallas Austin produced the song.
Retail and promotional releases of Freedom also featured a rap-only version of the song featuring Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes of TLC, Yo Yo, MC Lyte, Da 5 Footaz, Patra, and Me’Shell Ndegéocello.
King Holiday is an R&B/Hip-Hop single released on January 13, 1986 by the King Dream Chorus and Holiday Crew. Composed by Phillip Jones, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Melle Mel and Bill Adler, it was released in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which was first celebrated as a national holiday in the United States on January 20, 1986. All proceeds from the single were donated to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. The single peaked at No.30 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.
The project was spearheaded by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s youngest son, Dexter Scott King, who is credited as the song’s executive producer. “King Holiday” was produced by Phillip Jones and Kurtis Blow. The song features:
King Dream Chorus (vocalists): El DeBarge, Whitney Houston, Stacy Lattisaw, Lisa Lisa with Full Force
Teena Marie, Menudo, Stephanie Mills, New Edition, James “J.T.” Taylor
Holiday Crew (rappers), Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Run–D.M.C., Whodini