Interviews
Nancy Wilson
Quincy Jones
Max Roach
Herbie Hancock
Bobby Hutcherson
George Benson
Eddie Harris
Les McCann
Lou Rawls
Milt Jackson
Jimmy Smith
Stanley Turrentine
Ron Carter
Isaac “Redd” Holt
Hugh Masekela
Ellis Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis
Branford Marsalis (“Buckshot LeFonque”)
Herb Alpert
Bob Dorough (“Schoolhouse Rock”)
Milton Nascimento
Sergio Mendes
Freddie Cole
Otis Williams
Ike Turner
Larry Mizell
Ernie Isley
Jimmy Jam​
Ashford & Simpson (Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson*)
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.
Thom Bell
Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
Norman Whitfield
Barrett Strong
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds
Dexter Wansel (& Cynthia Biggs)
Lalo Schifrin
Sylvia Robinson
Frankie Beverly
Rick James
Kashif​
Temptations (Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams*, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street,
Ali Woodson)
5th Dimension (Ron Townson, Lamonte McLemore, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis)
Dells (Chuck Barksdale, Mickey McGill, Verne Allison)
The Sylvers (Leon, Olympia, Foster, Charmaine, Pat, Angie, Ricky, James)
Spinners (Henry Fambrough, Bobbie Smith, Pervis Jackson, Billy Henderson)
Chi-Lites (Marshall Thompson)
The Impressions (Sam Goode, Fred Cash >> Reginald Torian, Ralph Johnson)
LaBelle (Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash, Pattii Labelle)
O’Jays (Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Sammy Strain > Eric Nolan
Whispers (Walter Scott, Wallace “Scotty” Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, Leavil Degree)
The Moments (Al Goodman, Billy Brown)
Pointer Sisters (Ruth, Anita, June)
Persuasions (Jerry Lawson)
Dramatics (Ron Banks)
B.B. King
Taj Mahal
Latimore
Sweet Pea Atkinson
Linda Hopkins
Rosa Lee Brooks
Curtis Mayfield
Isaac Hayes
Barry White
William “Smokey” Robinson (4)
Leon Ware
Bobby Womack
Bill Withers
Charles Wright
Ben E. King
Luther Vandross
D.J. Rogers
O.C. Smith
Billy Paul
Jeffrey Osborne
Charlie Wilson
Peabo Bryson
Teddy Pendergrass
James Ingram
Gerald Alston
Steve Arrington
Michael Cooper
Ellis Hall
Phil Perry
Aston “Family Man” Barrett (The Wailers)
Bunny Rugs Clarke (Third World)
Maxi Priest
Shaggy
Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers (Ziggy & Stephen)
Beenie Man
Shaggy
Maxi Priest
Dionne Warwick
Gladys Knight
Natalie Cole
Donna Summer
Valerie Simpson
Roberta Flack
Marilyn McCoo
Stephanie Mills
‘Angela Winbush
Deniece Williams
Lonette McKee
Vanessa Williams
Patti Labelle
Millie Jackson
Melba Moore
Mary Wilson
Merry Clayton
Patti Austin
Anita Baker
Miki Howard
Regina Belle
Jody Watley
Stephanie Spruill (Grammy Museum)
Alyson Williams
Me’Lisa Morgan
Charlo Crossley
Phoebe Snow
Phyllis Hyman
Angela Bofill
Brenda Russell
Chaka Khan
Teena Marie
Randy Crawford
Oleta Adams
Jessica Cleaves
Sheree Brown
Lynne Fiddmont
Kimberly Brewer
Gina Kronstadt
Ms. Sharon Ridley
Alfie Silas
Angela Stribling
Claudia Brant
Sade (Helen Folasade Adu)
Sweetback (Stuart Matthewman, Paul Denman, Andrew Hale)
Clarence Avant
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
L.A. & Babyface
Denzil Foster & Thomas McElroy (FM2)
Lamont Dozier
Skip Scarborough
Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau & George Benson
Michael Franks
Jon Lucien
Terry Callier
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Marlena Shaw
Dianne Reeves
Cassandra Wilson
Gregory Porter
Freda Payne
Paulette McWilliams
Vanessa Rubin
Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Josheph Shabalala, Albert)
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Take 6 (Alvin Chea, Mark Kibble, Claude V. McKnight, Mervyn Warren,
David Thomas, Cedric Dent)
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Sweet Honey in The Rock
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Warren Cooper​
MeShell NdegeOcello
Nicki Richards
Chante’ Moore
Lalah Hathaway
Rachelle Ferrell
Erykah Badu
Andrea Martin
India.Arie
Alicia Keys
Mariah Carey
Toni Braxton
Mary J. Blige
Vesta (Williams)
Angie Stone
Lisa Stansfield
Jennifer Hudson
Jill Scott
Aaliyah
Shanice
Brandy
Tamia
Tracie Spencer
Lamya
Neneh Cherry
Andra Day
Amel Larrieux
Amerie (w/ Rich Harrison)
N’Dea Davenport
Macy Gray
Crystal Waters
CeCe Peniston
Joi
Jaguar Wright
Liv Warfield
Jill Jones
Carmel Helene
Lina
Tweet
Sparkle
Sunshine Anderson
Kelly Rowland
Kelly Price
Vivian Greene
Vivienne Williams
Deborah Cox
Heather Headley
Cherrelle
Karyn White
Sharon Bryant
Barbara Weathers
Joyce “Fenderella” Irby
Dominique Toney
Brigitte McWilliams
Rhonda Clark
Billy Lawrence
Sandra St. Victor
Syleena Johnson
Tyler Collins
Adina Howard
KeKe Wyatt
Terry Ellis
Kandi Burruss
Monica
Paula Abdul
Tisha Campbell
Tatyana Ali
Nicole Renee’
Rainy Davis
Puff Johnson
LaTonya Holmes
Rebbie Jackson
Athena Cage
Chantay Savage
Terry Dexter
Mya
Simone
Cherokee
Rio Soul
Bemshi
Canela
Davina
D’Mello
Abenaa
Beverly
Debelah Morgan
Gina Thompson
Grenique
Tami Hert
Jerzee Monet
Ericka Yancey
Jessica (Betts)
Jewell
Kelli Mack
Kina
Tami Davis
Tara Kemp
Taral Hicks
Tasha Holiday
Trisha Covington
Brandy Moss-Scott
Maxwell
Lenny Kravitz
Jesse Johnson
Nate Dogg
El DeBarge
Alexander O’Neal
Will Downing
Frank McComb
Joseph “Amp” Fiddler
Chuckii Booker
Van Hunt
Eric Bene’t
Leon Bridges
Dave Hollister
JOE
The Tony Rich Project
Tony Lemans
Olu
Jon B
Usher
Jonathan Butler
Keith Washington
K-Ci Hailey
Aaron Hall
Kenny Lattimore
Johnny Gill
Kevon Edmonds
Tevin Campbell (2)
Jesse Powell
Ginuwine
Miles Jaye
Freddie Jackson
Bobby Brown
Keith Sweat
Brian McKnight
R. Kelly
Tank
Tyrese
James “J.T.” Taylor
Tony Terry
Randy Jackson (& The Gypsys)
Carl Thomas
Montell Jordan
Donell Jones
Jaheim
Sisqo
Georgio
Craig David
Chris Walker
Terry Steele
Deon Estus
Samuelle
Myron
Oran “Juice” Jones
Gary Brown
Sean Levert
Timmy Gatling
Mr. Dalvin
Trey Songz
Glenn Lewis
Avant
Ray J (2)
Roger (Son of Roger Troutman)
Mario
Rome
Keplyn
Quindon
Danny Boy
Gene Rice
Geoff McBride
Lil Johnny
Lil Romeo
Sammie
Aaron Skyy
J-Shin
TQ
Gary Taylor
Raymond Jones
Preston Glass
Augie Johnson
Larry Wade
Busta Rhymes
Chuck D
Public Enemy (Chuck D*, Flava Flav, Professor Griff)
Digable Planets (Butterfly, Ladybug Mecca, Doodlebug)
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot
Tim “Timbaland” Mosley (& Magoo)
Run-DMC
Heavy D
Will Smith
LL Cool J
Jermaine Dupri
De La Soul (Trugoy, Mase, Posdnuos)
Arrested Development (Speech*, Montsho Eshe, Headliner)
Above The Law
Ice-T (w/ Darlene)
Ice Cube
GURU (Jazzmatazz)
MC Solaar
Talib Kweli
Too $hort
Speech
Naughty By Nature (Treach, Kay Gee, 3)
Geto Boys (Scarface*, Bushwick Bill*, Killer Mike*)
Fat Boys (Prince Markie Dee +1 > no Human Beatbox)
Mellow Man Ace
Kid Frost
Boo-Yaa Tribe
Queen Latifah
YoYo
Simple’ E
Sole’
Trina
?uestlove (The Roots)
Ludacris
Nelly
Da Kaperz
The Luniz (Yukmouth and Numskull - originally known as Luni Tunz)
Lil’ Bow Wow
Won G
Field Mob
Three Times Dope
Shalamar (Jody Watley*, Howard Hewett*)
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Levert (Gerald Levert*, Sean Levert*, Marc Gordon*)
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Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert (Father & Son)
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LSG (Gerald Levert*, Keith Sweat*, Johnny Gill*)
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Was (Not Was) - (Don Was, Dave Was, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Sir Harry Bowens)
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Scritti Politti (Green Gartside)
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Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam (Lisa Velez*, Alex “Spanador” Moseley, Michael Hughes)
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Full Force
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TLC (Lisa “Left-Eye Lopes, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas)
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En Vogue (Terry Ellis*, Cindy Heron, Maxine Jones > Rhona Lawrence)
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BBD (Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, Ronnie DeVoe)
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Tony! Toni! Tone! (Raphael Saadiq, Dwayne Wiggins, Timothy Christian Riley)
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After 7 (Melvin, Kevon, Keith > Melvin’s son)
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TROOP
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Mint Condition (Stokley > all)
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Sounds of Blackness (Gary Hines, Ann Nesby*)
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Lo-Key?
Lucy Pearl (Raphael Wiggins, Dawn Robinson, Ali Shaheed Muhammad)
Groove Theory (Amel Larrieux*, Bryce Wilson)
BLACKstreet (Teddy Riley, Dave Hollister*, )
Zhane’ (Jean Norris, Renee’ Neufville)
Floetry (Natalie Stewart, Marsha Ambrosius)
K-Ci & JoJo (Hailey)
The Good Girls (Shireen Crutchfield, Demonica Santiago, Joyce Tolbert)
Klymaxx (Cheryl Cooley, Lorena “Lungs,” Robbin Grider))
Braxtons (Towanda, Trina, Tamar)
Xscape (Kandi Burrus)
Brand New Heavies
Mr. Fiddler (Amp Fiddler*)
Slapbak (Jara Harris)
INTRO (Kenny Greene, Jeff Sanders, Buddy Wike)
The Wooten Brothers (1, 2, 3)
S.O.S. Band (Sigidi, Abdul Raoof, Chandra Currelly,
Surface (David “Pic” Conley, Bernard Jackson)
Calloway (Reggie and Vincent)
Midnight Star (Bo Watson, Belinda Liscomb, Melvin Gentry)
Atlantic Starr (David, Wayne & Jonathan Lewis)
Starpoint (S. Renee Diggs, Ernesto Philips, George Philips)
Vertical Hold (Angie Stone*, David Bright, Willie Bruno
Voyceboxing (Tina Harris, Jean)
Audio Caviar (Ralph Johnson)
Terri & Monica
Stacye & Kimiko
Trina & Tamara
Damian Dame
Deja (Mysti Day & Curtis)
Sa-Deuce
Snap! (Turbo B)
Club Nouveau (Jay King, Valerie Watson, Kevin Irving)
Curtis Mantronik (Mantronix)
24/7 Spyz
E.U./Experience Unlimited
Jabulani
Boyz 2 Men
Immature
112
Jagged Edge
Silk
Dru Hill
Next
Rude Boyz
Men at Large
All-4-One
Art-N-Soul
Az Yet
Black Flames
The Chimes (Pauline Henry)
Men of Vizion
Room Service
Mista
Mowett
Pretty Ricky
Prophet Jones
Profyle
Public Announcement
Hi-Five
3LW
Soultry
Voices of Theory
The Finest Hour
Small Change
Entouch
Domino Theory
Whistle
Le Gent
4 Shades
Ruff Endz
Reel Tight
The Donz
Ideal
K.P. & Envy
Def Con 4
7669
702
For Real
Kut Klose
SWV (Coko, Taj – no LeeLee)
Changing Faces
Blackgirl
Ex-Girlfriend (Lateasha X, Monica X, Stacy X and %%%%%%%% X)
Shades of Lace
Willie Max
Blaque
Nuttin’ Nyce
Phajja
Cherish
Blackbox (Kaitrin)
Hubert Laws
Grover Washington, Jr.
Ronnie Laws
Gato Barbieri
John Klemmer
David Sanborn
Najee
George Howard
Art Porter
Joe Sample
George Duke
Ramsey Lewis
Bob James
Patrice Rushen
Eliane Elias
Onaje Allan Gumbs
Bobby Lyle
John Beasley
Ronnie Foster
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Lonnie Liston Smith
Maurice White
Stanley Clarke
Lenny White
Ndugu (Leon Chancler)
Roy Ayers
Billy Cobham
Dennis Chambers
Omar Hakim
Rayford Griffin
Terri Lyne Carrington
Cindy Blackman (Santana)
Peter Erskine
Earl Klugh
Larry Carlton
Marcus Miller
Byron Miller
Victor Bailey
Bradley Bobo
Wayman Tisdale
Allan Holdsworth
Mike Stern
Kevin Eubanks
Stanley Jordan
Ronald Muldrow
Calvin Keys
Mark Whitfield
Lee Ritenour
Steve Lukather
Ray Gomez
Ronny Jordan
Jean-Luc Ponty
Alex Acuna
Ernie Watts
Emil Richards
Joe Porcaro
Jeff Lorber
Dan Siegel
Jason Miles
Alex Bugnon
A. Ray Fuller
Tom Browne
Bob Baldwin
Paul Jackson Jr.
Dave Valentin
Gerald Albright
Everette Harp
Richard Elliot
Mike Phillips
J. Spencer
Alfonzo Hunter
Kim Waters
Marion Meadows
Poncho Sanchez
Sheila Escovedo (E-Train)
Candy Dulfer
Brian Culbertson
Micaela
Narada Michael Walden
Norman Connors
Crusaders (Joe Sample*, Wilton Felder, Wayne Henderson*, Stix Hooper*)
Fourplay (Bob James*, Nathan East*, Larry Carlton*, Harvey Mason*)
State of Art (Raymond Jones*, Norma Jean Wright)
Brecker Brothers Band (Randy Brecker, Steve Khan, Will Lee, Chris Parker, David Sanborn* Alle Willis, Patti Austin, Charlo Crossley)
Hiroshima (Dan Kuramoto, June Kuramoto, Johnny Mori, Kimaya Seward, Danny “Crenshaw Flash” Yamamoto, Kimo Cornwell, Dean Cortez)
Caldera (Eduardo del Barrio, George del Barrio, Jorge Strunz, Larry Dunn*, Dianne Reeves*)
Vertu’ (Lenny White*, Stanley Clarke*)
Clare Fischer
Claus Ogerman
Don Sebesky
Marty Sheller
Dave Grusin
Larry Rosen
David Axelrod
Tommy LiPuma
Suzanne Ciani
Bobby Martin
Tom Young (“Sunshine”)
Arif Mardin (Donny Hathaway, AWB)
Jimmy Douglass (Slave, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Les McCann)
Kenny Garrett
Christian McBride
Terrence Blanchard
Roy Hargrove
Nicholas Payton
Steve Turre
Robert Glasper
Steve Gadd
Harvey Mason
Jack DeJohnette
Morris Jennings
James Gadson
John Blackwell
Yolanda Adams (Christmas)
Andrae Crouch
Israel Houghton
Deitrick Haddon
The Walls Group
The Winans
BeBe Winans
CeCe Winans
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Kirk Franklin (Family, The 1NC)
Mary Mary
Tata Vega
Donna McElroy
Tim Dillinger
Mother’s Finest (Joyce “Baby Jean” Kennedy, Glenn, Wyzzard, Michael Keck, Moses Mo, BB Queen)
Kool & The Gang (Robert “Kool” Bell, George “Funky” Brown)
Pleasure (Marlon McClain, Nathaniel Phillips, Donald Hepburn, Randy Hall)
The Time (Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jesse Johnson, Monte Moir, Jellybean Johnson, Jerome Benton)
The Family / F-Deluxe (Susannah Melvoin, St. Paul Peterson, Eric Leeds, Jellybean Johnson, Jerome Benton)
B.T. Express (Louis Risbrook, Bill Risbrook, Rick Thompson, Barbara Joyce > Billy Nichols, Tom Moulton, trade martin)
Rose Royce (Kenny Copeland, Henry Garner)
Maxayn (Maxayn Lewis, Andre Lewis, Emry Thomas, Marlo Henderson)
Mandrill (Ric Wilson)
ConFunkShun (Michael Cooper*, Felton Pilate)
Sun (Byron Byrd > Beau Ray Flemming)
A Taste of Honey (Janice Marie Johnson)
George Clinton
William “Bootsy” Collins
Bernie Worrell
Roger Troutman
Rick James
Gino Vannelli
Michael McDonald
John McDermott (The Doors > Jungle Jazz)
Boy George
Barry Manilow (also Ron Dante)
Billy Ray Cyrus
Pat Boone
Frank Wilson
Paul Riser
Willie Hutch
Dennis Coffey
William “Mickey” Stevenson
Cholly Atkins
Joe Harris (Undisputed Truth)
Cornelius Grant
Chris Clark
Gloria Jones
Gerald Levert (Levert, LSG)
Ray Parker Jr.
Michael Henderson
Al McKay
DJ Jazzie B (Soul II Soul)
Michael B Sutton
Billy Griffin (Miracles)
Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge)
Shirley Jones (Jones Girls)
Russell Thompkins Jr. (Stylistics)
Donny Gerrard (Skylark)
[George Johnson (Brothers Johnson)] tape destroyed
Evelyn “Champagne” King
Cheryl Lynn
France Joli
Maxine Nightingale
Martha Wash
Thea T. Austin
Victoria Wilson-James
Ann-Britt
Autumn (Moultrie)
Carlton Jumel Smith
Elliott Farmer
Jacnique
King James Brown
JADE
Kai Chase
Keisha Manijean
Melvin Johnson
Mister Rebound
Mitchell Coleman
Peter Bilt Group (Aaron Smith +2)
Reverend Minatee
Scot Brown
Sekou Bunch
Shelea
Tony Cornelius
Victoria Renee
Yulia
Yung CEO
Angelica Rose
twanguero
christopher williams
darlene koldenhoven
Posthumous
Tony Williams (Jan Hammer, Cecil Taylor, Mario Cipollina, George Benson*, Herbie Hancock*, Stanley Clarke*, Allan Holdsworth, Alan Pasqua, Brian Auger, tom scott)
Max Roach (Gary Bartz, Stanley Cowell, Jymie Merritt)
Minnie Riperton (Richard Rudolph, Phil Upchurch, Sidney Barnes, Leon Ware*, Ramsey Lewis, Maurice White, George Daniels, Maya Rudolph,
Rotary Connection (Marshall Chess, Sidney Barnes, Morris Dollison/Cash McCall, Judy Hauff, Phil Upchurch)
Donny Hathaway (Eulalah Hathaway, Billy Preston, Ric Powell, Henry Franklin, Leroy Hutson, Leon Ware*, Arif Mardin*, Joel Dorn, Willie Weeks, Fred White, Cornell Dupree, Phil Upchurch*)
Phyllis Hyman (Pharaoh Sanders*, Norman Connors*, Onaje Allan Gumbs*, Ndugu*, George Kerr,
Teena Marie (Allen McGrier, John Bokowski, Bootsy, Larkin Arnold)
Wayne Shorter (Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman Santana, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington, Danilo Perez,
Jessica Cleaves (Ray Cork Jr, John Florez, Harry Elston, Clarence McDonald, Jerry Peters, George Clinton, Eckstein, Shelly Clark, Sue Ann Carwell, Leavil Degree, David Gamson. Chris Bruce, Philip Bailey, Ralph Johnson, verdine,
Yvonne Fair (Sammy Strain, Suzanne DePasse, Chuck Jackson,
Stevie Ray Vaughan (Stevie Wonder, Ernie Isley*, Jesse Johnson)
Syreeta (Curtis Robertson, Leon Ware*, Sheree Brown*)
Rick Holmes (Lawrence Tanter, Roy McCurdy,
John L. Nelson
Ray Charles
Shirley Scott
Tony Thompson
Story No Interview
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Prince
Michael Jackson (Dangerous, History)
Janet Jackson (The Velvet Rope, Damita Jo)
Whitney Houston (My Love is Your Love)
Jennifer Lopez
Chico Debarge
Lil Kim
Guy
Levi Booker (KJLH)
Will Smith (2)
Montell Jordan
Masta P (interview conducted by Wes Orshinski for The Educated Guess)
New Edition (Home Again 6-way reunion)
Retail
Royce Fortune
George Daniels
Violet Brown
Record Company
Big Jon Platt (EMI)
Kevin Evans (RCA)
Ruben Rodriguez (Sony)
Dave Rosas (A&M)
Tracey Edmonds (Yab Yum)
Chris Schwartz (Ruffnation)
Film
William Crain
Ketty Lester
Denise Nicholas
Spike Lee (Film Music*)
Cynda Williams
Wesley Snipes
Fred Williamson
Reginald Hudson
Jim Brown
Pam Grier
Allan Louis
Heather Hunter
Alexander Devoe (Fish N Grits)
“Smokin’ Aces” (Alicia Keys, Common, Taraji, Jeremy)
“Sparkle” (2000s)
“Barbershop” (Tim Story)
“Mo’ Money” (Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis)
“Waiting to Exhale”
“Boomerang” (Babyface* & L.A.)
“When We Were Kings”
“Booty Call”
“The Best Man”
“Big Momma’s House”
“Blue Streak”
“The Brothers”
“Don’t Be a Menace to Society While Drinking Your Juice in The Hood”
“Down in the Delta”
“Glitter”
“Hav Plenty” (Tracey Edmonds, Michael McQuarn)
“In Too Deep”
“Light it Up” (Michael McQuarn)
“Love Jones”
“The Nutty Professor” (Russell Simmons)
“Sprung” (Qwest's Mark Persaud and Jay Brown
“Steel”
“Sunset Park”
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love”
Publishing
Grease, Frank McComb, Kelly Price, Warryn Campbell
Jamey Jaz
Brian Alexander Morgan, Jeffrey “J-Dub’ Walker, Manuel Seal, Rodney Jerkins, Tim & Bob (Tim Kelly & Bob Robinson), Emanuel Officer, Chad “Dr. Ceuss” Elliott, Edwin “Tony” Nicholas
Malik Pendleton, Tamara Savage, Antwon “Big Boi” Patton, Dr. Freeze
Television
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“Oz”
Stephen Hill (BET)
Chris Spencer
Music Video
Jeff Byrd
Visual Artists
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Chaz Guest
Keisha Manijean
Specials
“Becoming Barack”
“Red Hot + Rhythm”
“Survival of the Fittest” (Kevin Liles)
“Marvin is 60”
“NBA 50”
“Motown 40”
“United We Funk” (Bar-Kays, ConFunkShun, Dazz Band, S.O.S. Band, Zapp)
History Makers
Dr. Ben (Yosef A.A. ben-Jochanan)
Ken Burns – Documentarian
Magnificent Montague (art collection)