The Nelson George Mixtape $7 / month

The Nelson George Mixtape Substack delves into black music, culture, and its intertwining with American society through various lenses like historical events, personal memoirs, and cultural critiques. It explores hip-hop's evolution, impacts of deculturalization in education, influential figures in black music, and George's own contributions to music literature.

Black Culture and Music Hip-Hop History and Evolution American Music Industry Cultural Critique and Analysis Influential Figures in Music Race, Gender, and Equality in Music Music Education Music and Cultural Events

The hottest Substack posts of The Nelson George Mixtape

And their main takeaways

THE SMILE OF TRACY CHAPMAN

766 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music Artists Music Industry Music Performance
  1. Tracy Chapman's music stood out due to its poetic, working class themes and emotional vocals.
  2. Tracy Chapman faced ridicule for her musical style and appearance in the black music community.
  3. Luke Combs' cover of Tracy Chapman's song helped generate financial success and renewed appreciation for her music.

THE MIND OF SONNY ROLLINS

452 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Jazz Musician Biography History
  1. Sonny Rollins was obsessed with study and rehearsal, enjoying practice more than performing for an audience.
  2. Sonny Rollins' music and philosophy were influenced by Buddhism, yoga, and the streets of New York.
  3. To learn more about Sonny Rollins, recommended readings include 'Saxophone Colossus' by Aidan Levy.
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MUSIC THROUGH MY OFFICE WINDOW

373 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎶 Music Genres
  1. The Brooklyn music scene has evolved over the years, with hip-hop no longer dominating the neighborhood's sonic landscape.
  2. Genres like Afro-Beats, reggaeton, and classic R&B are now more prevalent in Brooklyn's musical soundscape.
  3. Musical tastes in Brooklyn have become more diverse, reflecting shifts in the population demographics of the neighborhoods.

THE SOUND OF FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

353 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Author analysis
  1. The sound design of 'Apocalypse Now' by Walter Murch played a crucial role in making Francis Ford Coppola's film memorable and visionary.
  2. Walter Murch revolutionized movie sound through his work on 'The Godfather,' 'The Conversation,' and 'Apocalypse Now,' contributing to cinematic masterpieces.
  3. Sam Wasson's book provides insights into Murch's artistic journey and his significant contributions to sound design in film, making it a great read for cinephiles.

THE USHER BOWL

196 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎶 Music Performance Albums Tour Dance
  1. Usher, as a true soul singer, stands out from current R&B singers who heavily use autotune and rap-singing.
  2. Usher's confidence and immense stage presence make his performances, like his Vegas residency show, epic and engaging for the audience.
  3. Usher's upcoming album release and arena tour mark a significant moment in his four-decade career, with expectations of him integrating past performance traditions like never before.

MY RESPONSE TO JANN WENNER

1081 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Music Media Diversity
  1. Jann Wenner made insulting comments about women and black artists in an interview.
  2. Wenner is publishing a book called 'The Masters' featuring rock stars but excluded black and female artists.
  3. Nelson George posted a video response to Wenner's controversial views.

BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT

176 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Activism Documentary Dictatorship Democracy Global Politics
  1. The film 'Bobi Wine: The People's President' documents his struggle to democratically oust Uganda's corrupt leader Yoweri Museveni.
  2. The story shows Bobi Wine's transformation from popular performer to Presidential candidate over a decade.
  3. The film highlights the importance of faith in democracy, lessons for Americans, and the energy of young people globally.

THE DAY JAM MASTER JAY DIED

471 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Jam Master Jay's death was a significant moment for the author.
  2. Run-DMC's status was changing when Jam Master Jay passed away.
  3. The author struggled with processing the sudden death of a peer.

3 MEMORIES OF MELVIN VAN PEEBLES

452 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Film Music History Literature Art
  1. Melvin Van Peebles was a unique and iconic figure in the world of black cinema and music.
  2. Nelson George had meaningful interactions with Melvin Van Peebles that influenced his career and artistic endeavors.
  3. Melvin Van Peebles had a bold personality, unconventional lifestyle, and a lasting impact on those around him.

ANDRE HARRELL: GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

373 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Music Fashion Film Mentorship Lifestyle
  1. Andre Harrell was a influential figure in the music industry, specifically in the founding of Uptown Records and grooming talent.
  2. Harrell had a keen eye for cultural trends and was skilled at identifying emerging talent and styles.
  3. His mentorship extended beyond race and he was known for nurturing and guiding many individuals in various fields.

1980 to 1988: A MUSICAL CULTURE IN TRANSITION

432 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎶 Music Music history Hip-hop Bands
  1. Transition from R&B to hip hop in music culture between 1980 and 1988 was significant.
  2. 1980 showed dominance of self-contained bands in music sales, while 1988 marked rise of hip hop and solo stars.
  3. The shift in the music landscape led to decline of bands and vocal groups, giving rise to singular stars.

THE BROOKLYN BOHEMIA OF '80S AND '90S

373 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art Film Literature Music History
  1. Fort Greene and Clinton Hill in the '80s and '90s were hubs of African-American and Latin creative talent.
  2. The Brooklyn Boheme era included artists from various fields like music, literature, and film.
  3. Spike Lee's party in Fort Greene Park inspired Nelson George to work on a book about that vibrant and ambitious time.

BACHARACH & BLACK VOICES

491 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. Burt Bacharach had a special connection with black singers who favored precise delivery, controlled passion, and grandiose arrangements.
  2. Isaac Hayes and Luther Vandross created epic performances of Bacharach's tunes with long, melodramatic arrangements.
  3. The collaboration between Bacharach and R&B legend in 2003 resulted in a lost masterpiece with soulful interpretations that are worth rediscovering.

RIP Wayne Shorter

432 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🎶 Music Jazz Composer Concerts
  1. Wayne Shorter's music has a wide range, from hard bop to space experiments to bright sounds.
  2. Shorter had unique encounters in different settings like an Italian music festival and a film screening.
  3. His mystical, searching style on soprano sax connected with elements during a concert in Ravello, Italy.

'WATTSTAX' AT FIFTY: SOUL'D OUT!

373 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🎶 Music Concerts Documentary Legacy Performance
  1. The 'Wattstax' festival in 1972 showcased black musical talent and cultural unity in Watts, LA.
  2. The 'Wattstax' film and album release in 1973 celebrated African American music and community.
  3. Stax Records' legacy endures through the film and boxed set, highlighting the company's ambitions and accomplishments.