Hip-Hop History Volume 1
The Incorporation of Hip-Hop: Circa 1970-1989
I consider myself lucky to be born on the 29th of December in the year of 1970. On the other side of my Mother’s womb awaited Afro’s, bell bottoms, black power and soul music. However amidst the black love lay a dark cloud mixed with despair, poverty, racism, violent protest and civil unjust. Soul music was the one constant that seem to make it all go away if only for a few minutes. I can remember my parents spinning the 12 inch vinyl’s and 45’s of Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, James Brown and so many more in our living room. There was a dark blue couch that looked like it was made of fur with two white leather straps across the arms. Crystal vases held fresh Crown and black musk incents filled the air. Often my Aunts, Uncles and their friends would gather at our place on the weekends to dance, play spades, drink and party. That feeling of family, joy and togetherness still warms my heart every time I hear one of the soul classics from back then.
Paperback 9781-5323-5436-6
Hardcover 7476-0
LCCN 2017914506
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Hip-Hop History Volume 2
The Incorporation of Hip-Hop: Circa 1990-1999
Let’s take it back to the seventies
When Rap was born and made emcees.
But before they could even bless the Mic
It would be the DJ that rocked the night
From the Message that rained down from Sugar Hill
To the beat from chic that spun the wheel
When the Godfather & Ms. Summer ruled the dance floors
It would be a mighty Blow from Harlem to break down the doors
Similar to the Chuck Taylor’s that graced the league
Paperback 9781-5323-5437-3
Hardcover 7475-3
LCCN 2017914509
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Hip-Hop History Volume 3
The Incorporation of Hip-Hop: Circa 2000 -2010
Hip-Hop at it’s core is authentic and unapologetic without those two attributes, you ain’t Hip-Hop! If you feel like you’re disrespecting someone, when you say the word nigga, you’re definitely not Hip-Hop. So, don’t even put yourself in that space, especially if you feel you must hold your tongue when in the presence of Hip-Hop heads. The culture was created in the mist of poverty, police brutality, violence, racism, and a love for music. We stood on the shoulders of giants and road the waves of jazz, disco, r&b and rock & roll into the spotlight.
It’s now up to the new generation to carry the torch but respect your forefathers and recognize who’s shoulders you’re standing on. Study your Hip-Hop History so that you may continuously evolve the culture and keep the damn culture vultures at bay.
Paperback 9781-5323-6371-9
Hardcover 7474-6
LCCN 2018940121
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I gave her my last breath (Pulsations series Book 1)
Pulsations of A Heartbeat Series
The one problem with love is that it has no boundaries. Once we as humans decide to go for it all and put our hearts on the line for L-O-V-E, we really are taking one of the biggest chances ever in life.
Deep down inside we all know that there’s always a chance that this journey we choose to share with another soul could all go south! In fact, that’s the very thing that hinders some of us from finding love even now. We’re just damn scared of it all going wrong! I can’t even tell you how many relationships I’ve gone into half-ass just because of that fear.
Paperback 9780-9965-7013-8
LCCN 2015953397
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Inspirational Celebrity Short Stories
This collection of short stories was written so that I could share the interviews from my hit radio show “Show Talk with Angela Butler” that are inspirational as well as enlightening. I hope all who read the selections are inspired and motivated. Each person included is unique regardless of status, but all are celebrities, some known within their cities and states and others known worldwide. They are all equally motivational who can inspire others with their life stories. I am glad and honored that these people graced my show and allowed me to interview them.
Some of my previous guests include:
Shirley Murdock, Rodney Perry, Melba Moore, Eddie Levert Jr., Damon Wayans Jr., Sarah Jakes, Lenny Williams and Johnathan Butler.
Paperback 9780-9970-0165-5
LCCN 2016930922
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ionia
The beginning of the End
In a world filled with lies, infidelity and pain it is hard to see the positive things that surround us because we cannot see through the clouds of negativity, which overshadow our lives. Right in the heart of Grand Rapids Michigan a family finds themselves fighting to preserve all that is good and familiar, while battling against the unknown. Little do they know that beyond the surface is a world that few can imagine exists. Kenny and Samantha are about to find out that all the things they were told as a child, the ghost stories of those that walk amongst us, are not really stories at all.
Paperback 9781-6310-2995-0
LCCN 2015947074
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IT’S WORK, BUT IT’S WORTH IT!
I BELIEVE IN YOUR MARRIAGE!
These are the words I share with every couple that comes to my office looking forward to their wedding day. In a society that is continuously and aggressively opposed to God’s biblical blueprint for marriage, with people breaking up over nothing and specializing in making mountains out of molehills, with individuals so selfish they never embrace the idea that “two become one” because they are fighting for “what’s mine is mine”—SOMEBODY’S GOT TO BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE!
AVAILABLE 5/15/2020
JAYNE KENNEDY | AMERICAN ICON: Through the Lens of Lamonte Mclemore
A few years ago, a friend and I spent countless hours researching Black beauty, style and glamour. As my eyes skimmed across hundreds of online pinups, portraits, and snapshots, I was suddenly triggered. It was a photo of a gorgeous Black woman on the May 1973 cover of JET Magazine. I said to myself, “Who is this woman? Where have I seen her before?” Slowly, my memory came back. I remembered that years earlier I had stumbled upon a box of my grandfather’s vintage magazines. This exact cover was there. It read, “Beauty + Brains = Success.” Now that I figured out the connection, I was hooked. My search became more specific. “Who is Jayne Kennedy?” Using keywords “Jayne Kennedy red carpet,” “Jayne Kennedy editorial,” “Jayne Kennedy YouTube videos,” I was suddenly spiraling down a rabbit hole of beauty, glamour, and sophistication that I never wanted to end.
Jayne is undoubtedly one of the ultimate “IT” girls of the 1970’s and 80’s. As a bonafide sex symbol, she took the reigns of her power. With self-assurance and refined originality, she accumulated an incredible list of firsts that range from beauty pageants, prime time television and celebrity endorsements. When America tried to project a certain standard of beauty for black women, Jayne pushed back by simply being Jayne.
After years of publicly voicing my admiration, I received a call that Jayne wanted to meet me about this book! “How is this possible? What would I wear? What would I say?” I felt like that curious little boy who had scoured through my grandfather’s box all over again. Then it happened! On a breezy Tuesday in Los Angeles, my heart swelled in awe as I watched her tall, almost 6-foot frame enter the courtyard of the Chateau Marmont. We began to chat and what was supposed to be a brief coffee date turned into a 4-hour love fest. She endearingly refused to brag on her accomplishments, possessing a rare and constant poise mixed with humility. It then dawned on me that Jayne is just now realizing her impact on our culture. She showed me images from photoshoots that she planned to include in this book where she did her own hair and makeup and made almost all the clothes that she wore. I was captivated by each outfit, all crafted with precision and finesse…dresses that could have easily been mistaken for a Halston. Can we now please credit Jayne as one of the first Black stylists in Hollywood? A pioneer who allowed myself and others to now exist in this industry!
Jayne brought Black GLAMOUR to the main stage. That same confidence, charisma, and spark that radiated through our television and film screens and magazines then – still illuminates today. I’m so lucky to be able to honor, respect, and hail Jayne Kennedy as the Great American Icon that she is. May her brilliant legacy inspire others to forge new paths in the world of fashion and beyond.
Cheers to Jayne!
Image Architect | Law Roach
My first crush had to be Jayne Kennedy. She was Halle Berry and Farrah Fawcett put together. Everyone wanted Jayne Kennedy – she was tall and gorgeous. I never got to meet her man, but if she’s out there, Jayne, I’m looking for you! – Jamie Foxx
Jayne Kennedy! Jayne Kennedy, the beautiful woman, sportscaster, black woman. She couldn’t help it if she had a beautiful face and a gorgeous body and everybody wanted Jayne Kennedy. And she… as a young Wendy, 3rd and 4th grade, I was like, if she can do it I can do it. – Wendy Williams
Anyone that knows me knows how I feel about this woman and how much I’ve wanted to meet her since I was ten years old. She accomplished so many things in media and was the first African American woman to kick down that door for many of us to come behind her. As an actress, beauty queen, sports commentator, and so much more. And most importantly she has such a beautiful and sweet aura around her. – Claudia Jordan
Jayne, we honor you. I totally understand that it is upon your shoulders that we stand. It is about time that we can bow down to you for the ground that you laid. Thank you. – Vanessa A. Williams
Jayne Kennedy showed me that I could follow my dream too. We used to gather ‘round the TV and watch and scream and jump up and down: ‘Colored people on TV! Colored people on TV!’ – Oprah Winfrey