Music Monday

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Thanksgiving is comprised of the laughs, the tight hugs from relatives near and far, the corny jokes and deep discussions, the grown folks schooling the young folks about life, arguments about whose football team is better (this year I have to give it to the Eagles), battles about who makes the best pie, and mostly importantly the music. The music that makes the oldest tap there feet and the youngest shake to the beat. This is what happens during the holidays or any given day with my family. A complex yet loving group of people that take pride in family and the expression of love that brings us together and always seems to be connected to a song with a funky beat.

51bjvxKJsSLThe year was 1979 when McFadden & Whitehead dropped “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”, and since the time I was able to recognize and move to music I can recall the numerous amounts of times I have heard this played at every Mason Family gathering. “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”, has been like an family anthem; celebrating the success stories and the importance of family values. I wish I had a video attached to show you the infamous dance moves my Mom, Uncles, and Aunts would showcase from beginning to end; dancing with their hearts to the ten minute long extended version while shouting over the music to encourage their brothers and sisters to keep going.  Now you see why I can’t stop dancing, because these gatherings housed my first dance classes.

Ain’t no stoppin’ us now
We’re on the move
Ain’t no stoppin’ us now
We’ve got the groove

This song breeds a spirit that encourages one to keep pressing upward with a catchy chorus that replays in your head over and over again. There is no way you can sit there without reminiscing over what you have pulled yourself through and recognizing the people around that loved you. It’s this song that celebrates the triumph and ability to move forward even in the mist of your toughest obstacles. It gives us a reason to be thankful, while shaking a tale feather at the same time.

But we won’t let nothing hold us back
We gonna get ourselves together
We gonna polish up our act, yeah
And if you’ve ever been held down before
I know that you refuse to be held down any more
“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now ” boldly tells us to stand up and be great. To knock down barriers and take pride in the greatness that lives in you. It has encouraged generations to recognize the hard work it takes to be greater, while realizing that you didn’t get there alone. It is the anthem that moves the Black community and reaffirms the attitude of oneness. The sounds of the drum cadence sends a message of I-YOU-WE that instills pride in ourselves and our community by being unstoppable and forward thinking.
Thank You McFadden & Whitehead for this sound of Thanksgiving that I look forward to each and every year. I’m getting excited to see how my family has grown and how this anthem of empowerment has pushed us through to another level of success and love.
mOOd: “Ain’t NO STOPPING I-YOU-WE”

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