I wish I could track down the statistics on the African American presence in the show “American Idol”. I believe we would surely see a noticeably high trend. Since the jook joint days of shucking’ and jiving’ us black folks have been talent showin’ it up. The truth of the matter is we love contests: dance contests, jump rope contests, swimming contests, and most importantly, any contest that will showcase our TALENT.
Talent shows make the average black person come alive (Just check out the early days of Beyonce). Queue the lights, stage, camera, and action and we’ll be oozing with swagger, especially if you include a “fashion show” like segment, we’ll give you Vogue, GQ, and Essence in one fell swoop. Black people come out in droves to see their “babies” or family beckon “I Believe I Can Fly” or “The Greatest Love of All”. We sequin them down and convince them that winning is the only option, and then we send them off to shake and squeal in fear. (Poor things)
If you ever want to get in the door with a black person, attend one of their talent shows or a talent show of a relative/friend of theirs. While you’re there comment on the participant’s attire, make mention of the “glamorous” sequin get up and ask them who created it. Most likely they will proudly say themselves or a relative of theirs, and invite you to contact them for your next big event. (Note: Take the card! Or phone number! This will solidify your interest) Make sure during the talent show to make a lot of noise for the one you came to support, it will be then, and only then, that the black person who invited you will turn, almost in awe at you, with a big bright smile from ear to ear, gazing and grinning. This is the moment …this is the moment….and you both know it, that you two have bonded forever.
Photo: Blog.mlive.com
12 responses so far ↓
1 tanyetta // Mar 13, 2008 at 11:42 am
this part is very true: Make sure during the talent show to make a lot of noise for the one you came to support, it will be then, and only then, that the black person who invited you will turn, almost in awe at you.
p.s. throw in a “that’s my girl up there” to seal the deal
2 amaka // Mar 13, 2008 at 4:23 pm
That picture is perfect. Makes me think of “Lil Magic” from “In Living Color”. LOL
3 Leslie // Mar 18, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Educated black people hate talent shows because we think that they are ghetto. Talent shows feed into the stereotype that all we as black people know how to do is dance and sing.
4 Autumn // Mar 19, 2008 at 11:41 am
I beg to differ Leslie. I know plenty of educated black people who enjoy American Idol and Showtime at The Apollo just as the next person. It has little to do with feeding into a stereotype and more to do with loving to be entertained.
5 Ken // Mar 21, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Well, this criticism is dead on. Fashion shows and talent contests are the bread and butter of Black people. Our problem is we love to strut and show our swag, the triumph of surface over substance. If you asked the average participant basic Black history questions, they wouldn’t know, but I bet they got some fly clothes. It’s like a bad cliche — we just love to sing and dance. And I do too. But you know what? I also read books.
6 Makieya Kamara // Mar 26, 2008 at 8:22 am
I don’t think talent shows feed into a stereotype because its not the only thing we’re showcased in. Plenty of black people participate in debates, academic related clubs, & other activities that have nothing to do with singing & dancing. As an educated person, I don’t see any problem…when done correctly.
lol @ The Greatest Love of All, that song has the ability to evoke such pride when sung by someone with an amazing voice, preferably a little girl no more than 5 who can barely speak but sounds like a grown woman when she sings.
7 buena717 // Mar 26, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I’m with Ken- and what’s with every black male age 35 and under (who is not set on being a doctor, lawyer, NBA or NFL player) making beats and trying to be a Rap Star? I’m all for having fun, but let’s face it… we need to let go of the gangsta anthems and embrace music that encourages more upward-spiralling subjects that can help us to become better human beings… it’s not been cute to see our young boys on stage with white T’s complaining about society and our girls in booty shorts dropping it like it’s hot…
8 Rae // Apr 5, 2008 at 9:26 pm
So true….So true…
9 Leah // Apr 15, 2008 at 12:10 am
I gotta say, I’m very educated and I come ALIVE for talent shows. The green “super star” card is my favorite part of Cranium.
10 Amanda // May 29, 2008 at 8:25 am
black people in a swimming contest? lol
11 Julie // Jul 11, 2008 at 2:05 pm
This is SO true!!
I worked for many many years in the music industry. I didn’t keep track, but I am certain that the number of black artists submissions was at least three times as many as any other group!
Another thing I noticed was that they rarely– if ever– called themselves “artists,” but usually “entertainers.” White artists who were not signed would try to fake us out by making up a record label and then “signing themselves…” Dumb. But black people did the same thing– only they never called them record labels, they almost always included the word “Entertainment” in the name because they were always “more” than a record label. They considered themselves to be entrepreneurs, who would try to hustle you into a “deal.” I wanted to tell the worst offenders that they weren’t going to ever get anywhere if they didn’t relax a little, and quit trying to sell me on their stuff. Who wants to work with anyone who won’t chill out??
Another thing was that black artists rarely ever had websites– and if they did, it was a MySpace profile, or the WORST site ever. White people spent a LOT of time on their websites, though! Usually made on a Mac…
The black artists almost always said that they were multi-talented, excelling in everything from singing, dancing, sound engineering, marketing, and so forth. I would often wonder, “If they are as good at all that as they say they are, why are they contacting *me*?”
When the first season of American Idol came out, I was living in NYC with my roommate who was a gay, black, aspiring Broadway star. He was the best roomie ever! (Except for the freakin’ Broadway tunes…) Anyway, he would LOSE it when American Idol came on! I’d come home after a long day of listening to crappy bands and “enterainers,” and the LAST thing I wanted to do was hear more. He’d shout and clap and jump up and down like it was his sister on stage! It cracked me up. Although, I did like the Apollo performers– so hilarious!! The crowd was almost as crazy as the clowns on stage!
12 imhotep // Jul 23, 2008 at 8:17 pm
It is the quickest way out of the ghetto for the under-educated and poverty stricken. Its the one thing poor people can point too and say… “God gave me this” even in bad talent shows there is always one group or dancers or muscians that are actually pretty good. More times than not it is competitive.
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