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Black American 80s, 362 Ridgewood Drive, Soldotna, AK (2026)

01/13/2026

Jean-Michel Basquiat & Madonna — past loves, two creative forces.

In 1982–1983, Basquiat and Madonna shared a brief but unforgettable connection. At the time, Basquiat, a graffiti artist turned painter, was rising as one of the most exciting figures in New York’s 1980s art scene. Madonna was a pop star in the making, having just released her debut single “Everybody.”

Their worlds collided in West Hollywood, where Basquiat’s work was exhibited at the Gagosian gallery, and he lived for a time in Larry Gagosian’s home—where Madonna also stayed for a few months. Both were on the cusp of international fame, fueling a whirlwind romance.

Madonna recalled their time together:
"Basquiat was my boyfriend for a while, and I remember getting up in the middle of the night and he wouldn't be in bed; he'd be standing, painting, at four in the morning, very close to the canvas, in a trance. I was blown away by that, that he worked when he felt moved." (Interview Magazine, 2014)

She also shared the challenges:
"He was an amazing man and deeply talented. I loved him… When I broke up with him, he made me give all [his paintings] back to him. And then he painted over them black. I regret giving them back, but it was his creation. I still have one of his paintings." (The Howard Stern Show, 2015)

Though fleeting, their relationship was intense and transformative—an intersection of art, music, and passion that remains a captivating moment in cultural history.

A love brief in time, yet eternal in impact.

01/13/2026

🎓 Chadwick Boseman — a Howard University student first.

Before the world knew him as an actor, Chadwick Boseman dreamed of writing and directing. He began studying acting simply to better understand actors and how to work with them. That curiosity, intention, and respect for craft followed him throughout his life.

Born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, Chadwick was recruited to play college basketball—but chose the arts instead. He attended Howard University, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Directing. His teachers included Al Freeman Jr. and Phylicia Rashad, who became a lifelong mentor.

When Chadwick and several classmates needed financial support to attend the British American Drama Academy’s Oxford Summer Program in England, Phylicia Rashad quietly reached out to friends to help raise the funds. One of those friends was Denzel Washington.

Years later, at a screening of Black Panther, Chadwick finally thanked him:
“I never told anyone this… When I was at Howard, Phylicia reached out to her friends to pay for students to go to Oxford. I was the student you sponsored.”

The look on Denzel’s face said it all. He remembered—but didn’t know it was Chadwick.

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler later described meeting the Chadwick Boseman Scholars at the Wakanda Forever premiere as a powerful “full-circle” moment—proof that Chadwick’s legacy continues to uplift future generations.

Chadwick returned to Howard to give the commencement address on May 12, 2018. Following his passing, the university honored him by renaming its College of Fine Arts the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts on May 26, 2021.

The photos shared here include Chadwick during his undergraduate years at Howard, and later on a Brooklyn rooftop in 2000 with former classmates Kamilah A. Forbes and Janis McDavid.

Forever a student. Forever a teacher.
Chadwick Aaron Boseman ♡
(Nov. 29, 1976 – Aug. 28, 2020)

01/13/2026

Brooklyn, NY — 1996

Aaliyah was the very definition of fly.
These iconic photos were captured by photographer Marc Baptiste on the set of her One in a Million album commercial. Also pictured are Karl Kani and his business partner Aze Johnson (who passed in 2020).

Known as the “Godfather of Urban Streetwear,” Karl Kani was instrumental in shaping the rise of streetwear—merging hip-hop and fashion at a time when both were defining culture. His designs were worn by legends like Tupac, Aaliyah, Biggie, and many more.

Reflecting on the moment, Karl Kani shared:
“This pic of Aaliyah & I was taken in Brooklyn, New York ’96. In the background was the World Trade Center. My design team and I presented her with a new leather biker jacket collection for her video. She will forever be missed.”

In the commercial, Aaliyah emerges from the ground and walks toward the overlook of the Twin Towers. After her debut album and the controversy that followed, this visual was a statement—letting the world know she was returning with purpose, confidence, and power. And she did exactly that.

Exact location: Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Timeless. Untouchable.
She was the flyest. 🌹

01/12/2026

✨ Minnie Riperton & daughter Maya Rudolph ✨
Two legendary women—each extraordinary in her own lane.

Maya Rudolph is often celebrated for her comedy, but she is so much more than that. While she comes from musical royalty—her mother Minnie Riperton, the late great singer with a once-in-a-generation voice, and her father Richard Rudolph, a songwriter, musician, producer, and music publisher—Maya carved out her own creative path. She and her brother, Marc, were raised in a household rooted in music, but Maya chose to express it differently.

Acting became her primary lane, yet music has always lived in her DNA. In college, Maya performed in bands and later spent time in the 1990s as a member of the alt-rock group The Rentals. By choosing her own route, she’s made an incomparable imprint—becoming an SNL legend, delivering unforgettable film performances, and more recently shining as Molly on Apple TV+’s Loot (arguably one of her most emotionally rich roles).

Today, while also being a devoted mother of four, Maya continues to create at a high level. She even honors her musical roots with her Prince cover band, Princess, formed with friend Gretchen Lieberum.

And in a beautiful tribute to her mother, Maya continues the tradition of honoring Minnie Riperton whenever she hosts SNL—recreating her mom’s iconic album covers and keeping her legacy alive.

Different paths. Shared brilliance.
A legacy that lives on. 🤍🎶

01/12/2026

Flo-Jo & daughter Mary

There’s a beautiful new documentary, Flo Jo: A Daughter’s Love, now streaming on Tubi (and coming soon to Amazon Prime). It offers a heartfelt, intimate look at Florence Griffith-Joyner—not just the cultural icon, but the woman, mother, and human being behind the legend.

Flo-Jo remains unmatched, still holding the world records in the 100m and 200m. With the 2024 Olympics underway in Paris, it’s impossible not to reflect on her historic 1988 Seoul performance that forever changed track and field. Side note: major love to Sha’Carri Richardson and the women carrying the legacy forward today. 🏃🏽‍♀️✨

The documentary traces Flo-Jo’s journey “from her humble beginnings in Watts to her meteoric rise on the world stage,” exploring both the triumphs and the challenges that shaped the fastest woman in history.

Much love to Mary Joyner () for continuously honoring and protecting her mother’s legacy with such intention and grace. The love between them radiates throughout the film. And a phenomenal job to director Shannon Dion ()—your ability to capture moments in time is truly remarkable.

Flo-Jo was more than a record-holder. She was a trendsetter, a trailblazer, and an influence that remains present—on the track, in fashion, and in culture.

Her legacy still runs fast.

01/12/2026

Central Park, July 21–22, 1983: Diana Ross made history.

It was a wild and unforgettable two days when Diana Ross took over Central Park with a free concert that became one of the most epic live performances in American history. What was scheduled as a single night turned legendary when heavy rain and a violent thunderstorm swept through the park. Diana continued performing until officials were forced to shut the show down. She returned the very next day to finish what she started.

The concert was staged as a global event, broadcast live around the world on Showtime, then an emerging cable network. It was also a benefit—proceeds from merchandise and television rights were intended to fund a new children’s play area in Central Park.

Living just across the street at The Beresford, Diana gave two free performances on July 21 and 22, drawing an estimated 400,000 to 800,000 people. But when the storm destroyed all merchandise during the first night, the concert failed to turn a profit. Diana personally covered the costs and honored her promise anyway.

In September 1986, groundbreaking began on the West 81st Street playground, with Diana Ross and Mayor Ed Koch in attendance. The space reopened in 1987 as the Diana Ross Playground—a lasting gift to the city she loves.

Diana later called the experience “one of the most fulfilling aspects of my life and career.”

A storm couldn’t stop her.
A promise wasn’t broken.
A legacy was built. ✨

01/12/2026

Frankie Beverly, rest peacefully.
Thank you for the unity you created through music.

Born Howard Beverly, he was a singer, songwriter, and producer best known as the heart and soul of Maze. He formed the band—originally called Raw Soul—in his hometown of Philadelphia in 1970. After relocating to San Francisco, a pivotal introduction to Marvin Gaye helped guide the group toward a sound and direction that would resonate for generations.

Maze went on to release nine Gold albums, building one of the most loyal fan bases in soul and funk history. Frankie Beverly was the band’s writer, producer, and lead singer—recognized for his smooth, unmistakable baritone voice and magnetic stage presence.

More than hits, his music created moments of togetherness—family reunions, cookouts, slow dances, and collective joy. Frankie Beverly didn’t just make songs; he built a feeling of unity that still lives on.

Rest easy, legend. Your sound remains eternal.

01/12/2026

Kobe Bryant. many would say his biggest accomplishments was his five NBA championships, but himself said his greatest accomplishment was his family, being a father to his 4 daughters and a loving husband.❤️❤️

01/12/2026

Solange shared in her Harper’s Bazaar cover story that when she was 10, childhood photos were stolen from her family’s storage as they moved house. The only pictures or videos she has are ones shared by aunts, cousins, people from hair salon, and others in her life. It’s wild to think how much of our past we rely on others to hold for us, and how those glimpses shape the stories we carry.

In light of that, today we’re taking it way back to the early days of Miss Solo Star. ❤️

01/12/2026

Tia & Tamera Mowry throughout the years!

Tia and Tamera Mowry are twin sisters who became cultural icons growing up in front of the world. They rose to fame in the 1990s with their hit sitcom Sister, Sister, where their natural chemistry, humor, and warmth made them household favorites. Beyond the show, they built individual careers in film, television, hosting, and business, while always keeping their bond at the center. Tia and Tamera represent sisterhood, longevity, and the kind of closeness that has remained strong from childhood stardom into adulthood.

01/12/2026

🕊 Rest peacefully, Tito Jackson.

The first photo comes from my grandmother’s personal photo album. In 1972, she and two friends spent time with The Jacksons in their hotel room after a show in Washington, D.C. I’ve kept that image saved on my phone for years—Tito, young and relaxed, eating McDonald’s after a concert. A quiet reminder that beyond the fame, they were human, just like us.

Born Toriano Adaryll Jackson on October 15, 1953, in Gary, Indiana, Tito was the third of ten Jackson siblings and, in many ways, the backbone. He was the spark at the very beginning of a musical legacy that would change the world.

At just ten years old, Tito was caught playing his father’s guitar after accidentally breaking a string. Instead of punishment, he fixed it—and when asked to play, his talent was undeniable. Joe Jackson bought Tito his own guitar and encouraged Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine to form a group. Marlon and Michael soon joined, and The Jackson 5 were born. History followed.

Growing up in a Black household, The Jacksons movie playing on TV was an event. Every screen on, everyone gathered—singing along, reciting lines, fully immersed. What the Jacksons created during their time was monumental and deeply woven into our culture.

My grandmother was one of their biggest fans. She’s in the same age group as the brothers and even had a Jackson 5 fan club with her friends. Raised by a grandmother who came of age during Motown in the Detroit area meant endless stories—especially that one about riding with friends to D.C., with her parents’ permission, to see the Jacksons live and end up spending time with them afterward.

I still ask her to retell it.
I love you, Grandma.
And thank you, Tito, for everything you gave us.

01/11/2026

✨ Polaroids by Andy Warhol, 1981 ✨
Diana Ross with her daughters Rhonda, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Chudney—captured in an intimate moment of art, family, and legacy. ♡

Diana commissioned Andy Warhol to create portraits not only of herself, but also of each of her three daughters (her sons Ross and Evan had not yet been born). Warhol later noted in his diary:

“Diana Ross came at 3:00 and she loved all the portraits. She said, ‘Wrap them up,’ and they all fit in the limousine. She had a check at Bob’s place by 5:00. And she wants me to do the cover for her next album.”

Interview editor Bob Colacello recalled being stunned when Diana paid the $95,000 bill on the spot for the four finished portraits—a powerful moment of agency, artistry, and Black excellence.

Warhol would later design the cover for Diana’s 1982 album Silk Electric, which sold approximately 800,000 copies, driven largely by the success of “Muscles,” written and produced by Michael Jackson.

A timeless intersection of art, music, motherhood, and power.

Black American 80s

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