The insider

IT required hours and hours of skillful telephone work, diligent planning, intricate coordination, and an abundance of charm and patience to make it happen-but when it all came together, it was an incredible, adrenaline-generating experience. To get five exceptionally talented, and exceptionally busy, recording artists in a photography studio at one time, and with a supertalented photographer, was destiny fulfilled.

The godfather of the music cover quintet is the venerable Smokey Robinson, who has a rich music history that started in the early days of Motown and continues today with the release of yet another stellar recording that captures the crystalline uniqueness of his exquisite voice. Also gracing EBONY with her joyful presence was Yolanda Adams, the statuesque gospel diva who has proven emphatically that following heart and spirit can indeed lead to gospel music success. Bringing to the mix the social consciousness of today's hip-hop generation with a touch of cool is rap artist Common. And we have the popular and pretty young divas: Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child, whose second solo recording is due for release this summer; and the irrepressible Ciara, whose Goodies CD is still shaking up the music scene.

The photography studio in West Hollywood was bustling with activity as glam crews busied themselves getting these talents ready for the shoot. Behind the camera was photographer Matthew Jordan Smith, whose masterful camera work created the incredible images gracing our cover and pages in our section on the Celebration of Black Music.

While Smokey, Yolanda, Common, Kelly and Ciara came together to help create the EBONY cover, our celebration of music goes far beyond these five artists. Beginning on page 161, we highlight the Innovators, the Voices, the Show Stoppers, the Groups, the Bands, Jazz, Music Makers and the Hip-Hop Revolution.

Music has always been an integral and important part of the Black community, from the days of slavery when it was a source of solace and communication, on through the years of segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and on to today--beautiful music continues to be inspirational and liberating.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning