Story and Photos by Kaysia Earley, Esq.
On February 3, 2023, old-school music invaded the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. Mayor Ken Thurston of Lauderhill hosted a night of feel-good music during the 21st Annual MLK Old School Music Celebration, featuring headliner SWV, along with performing artists Maxi Priest, Blackstreet, and special guest the Old Skool Gang. DJ Big Man Kelly kept the crowd on their feet spinning hit after hit.
The 90’s R&B era will always be remembered as one of the most beloved decades that the genre has produced. Different variations of R&B dominated this period, including Contemporary, New Jack Swing, Hip Hop Soul, and Neo-Soul. The crowd, including Commissioner Robert McKinzie, Commissioner S. Ray Martin, State Rep. Daryl Campbell was eager to take a step back into time and jam to music spanning across decades.
The show opened up with the Old Skool Gang (“OSG”) who performed top songs of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s including, “My Girl”, “Outstanding”, “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby”, “I Love Music” and much more. OSG is the brainchild of Entertainment Executive, and former KC and the Sunshine Band Member, Paul Lewis. Other members include Darrick Gayle, Moses T. Talbot, III, Craig “Silq” Edwards.
British reggae star of Jamaican descent Maxi Priest hit the stage next. Maxi Priest entertained guest along with his live band performing hits from the 80’s and 90’s, including, “Some Guys Have All the Luck”, “Wild World”, “Believe in Love”, “Crazy Love”, and “Housecall (Your Body Can’t Lie to Me” featuring New Kidz (HD) Jamaican artist hailing from Kingston. Maxi Priest is one of the first international artists to have success in this genre, and one of the most successful reggae fusion acts of all time. True Maxi Priest fans we left a little disappointed because he didn’t perform his hit song “Close to You”, but his stellar performance made up for it.
Grammy-winning 90’s R&B group Blackstreet followed and performed their greatest hits including, “Don’t Leave Me Girl”, “Baby Be Mine”, “No Diggity”. Blackstreet original member Chauncey Hannibal continued to carry on the original Blackstreet name on his own, touring alongside members Levi Little, Mark Middleton, and Eric Williams. Blackstreet performed their final song, “Before I Let Go” and gave out dozens of roses to the screaming crowd.
Multiplatinum R&B vocal trio, SWV (Sisters with Voices), graced the stage and gave the crowd what they came for, from dance moves to hit songs. SWV featuring Cheryl “Coko” Gamble, Tamara “Taj” George and Leanne “Lelee” Lyons sold more than 30 million records worldwide and was nominated for three Grammys. SWV rose to fame in the 90’s and performed their chart-topping songs including, “Anything You Want”, “You’re the One For Me”, “You’re Always on My Mind”, “Free Your Mind”, “Rain on Me”, and “I’m So Into You”. SWV closed the show with their most popular hit, “Weak” before exiting stage left.
Old School R&B music produced countless number of timeless hits that are still played to this day and brings back that good ole’ nostalgia to last a lifetime. Looking forward to next year’s line-up.
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