"Just Whitney": A Tribute to the Woman Who Changed Music

Whitney Houston: 1963-2012

In 1977, the world knew little of what would come of the 14 year old girl who performed as a back-up singer for Michael Zager's band. It wasn't until 1985 that her first single was even released. However, once Whitney Houston's name hit the airwaves she was no longer "just Whitney". This Jersey girl grew from background vocals to cover girl and recording artist to executive producer in an era where African American artists (especially women) were severely underestimated in American media. Whitney's contribution to American pop culture expanded much farther than her fashion missteps and personal challenges. In hindsight, Houston's 27 year career, which was often discredited by emotional turmoil, broke the boundaries pop culture had imposed on non-white talent and revolutionized the industry just as MTV was taking off.

Aside from her first single becoming a Top 5 R&B hit, Whitney Houston's early successes were numerous and noteworthy. As her name crooned through the airwaves, reviews by the New York Times quickly transitioned her fame from the exclusive R&B industry to more mainstream performances on late-night talk shows. Her third U.S. single, "How Will I Know", introduced her to the audience of MTV through the accompaniment of a music video. Shortly thereafter, she began to gain popularity and soon became the first African American, female artist to receive consistent rotation on MTV.

The next few years were filled with week-long Billboard 200 chart hits and several American Music Awards. She also gained notoriety for her activism in support of Nelson Mandela and the anti-South African apartheid movement, refusing to do any modeling work with agencies that did businesses with South Africa. In 1989, Houston formed The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children, a non-profit that raised funds for the needs of children all over the world. Her global issues involvement continued following a critically acclaimed performance of the Star Spangled Banner at Superbowl XXV. When the track was later released as a commercial single, all proceeds went to the American Red Cross Gulf Crisis Fund gaining Houston praise and the recognition of being named to the Red Cross Board of Governors. The song was re-released following the September 11th attacks and proceeds were once again used for philanthropic purposes. 

Even her ventures onto the silver screen had an impact on pop culture. In Houston's first film, The Bodyguard (1992), she played a star seeking protection against a crazed fan alongside Kevin Costner. This film was especially significant because it did not address the interracial quality of the film. A Wikipedia description of this film perhaps described it best when it said, "Houston's mainstream appeal allowed people to look at the movie color-blind." Along with being hugely successful at the box office, The Bodyguard soundtrack inspired a lead single ("I Will Always Love You"), a world tour and a place on the Billboard top 100 for 14 consecutive weeks.

In the years that followed, Whitney Houston's career was filled with significant moments. In 1995, she accepted a role to play TV producer Savannah Jackson in Waiting to Exhale because she saw the film as "a breakthrough for the image of black women because it presents them both as professionals and as caring mothers." This film was also successful and "proved that a movie primarily targeting a black audience, can cross over to success".

Apart from her philanthropic efforts and unforgettable range, Whitney Houston's impact on the music industry will forever be her legacy. If Michael Jackson can be credited for breaking down the color barrier for black male artists, then Whitney Houston was his female counterpart. Recording artist Anita Baker has been quoted as saying, "Because of what Whitney...did, there was an opening for me...for radio stations, black women aren't taboo anymore." 

Houston's awards have earned her a place in history as the most awarded female artist of all time and she will remain a legend for her efforts in changing the music industry and the world. As news reports develop the details of her final days, it is essential that she be remembered for her achievements and talent over the  personal struggles that extinguished the voice that every other talent was compared against. 

Let's celebrate Whitney by remembering her influence as a performer. What was your favorite Whitney song/ moment?

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Tim Thomas: On Thin Ice?

Would you miss out on a team invitation to the White House?

Imagine accomplishing something and being invited to the White House to be acknowledged for it. Pretty awesome right? Apparently not awesome enough for Tim Thomas, goalie for the Boston Bruins who made  a statement this week by not accepting the invitation extended to his entire team in recognition for winning the 2011 Stanley Cup. Since his refusal to attend, many Bruins fans have voiced their opinions regarding the champion goalie and whether or not politics has a place in sports.

As a Bostonian, it's hard not to involve the two. With celebration banners hanging from our state house and parades of epic proportions through the streets where minutemen once trod when we bring home victory trophies, it seems like the two go hand in hand. Thomas, one of two Americans on the Bruins roster, could be defended with the argument that he was simply exercising his right to free speech. However, some fans believe that athletes should be role models and that perhaps Thomas should have done the gracious thing and accepted the President's invitation.

In his statement, Thomas said that he believes the Federal government has grown out of control, citing the infringement of rights, liberty and property among the reasons for his frustration. In fairness, Thomas made clear that he believe the fault lies with both parties and said that this was a difficult and individual decision.

As fans sound off on the internet and through other media, we're curious to hear what COSMOpolitique readers think. Should Thomas have taken his issues to the president or was his message heard loud and clear? Tell us in a comment below, on Facebook or on Twitter by following @COSMOpolitique

For more on Tim Thomas and what Bruins fans think of his political statement, pick up The Boston Globe, on newsstands today!

BLAST Investigates Occupy Boston: The Movement and What It's Doing to Your Holiday Spirit

Throughout the holiday season, we catch glimpses of images of those in need; refugees, starving children and victims of injustice. The holiday season is the time of year when we think to reach a little deeper into our pockets for those "extra gifts" and to go above and beyond...but are they making a difference in our local or global communities? Ask BLAST, (a on-line lifestyle/ tech magazine for the "Generation Y and X crowd" who dabble in pop culture, MTV, Nintendo and student loans) who caught our attention this morning when it gave voice to a young member of the Occupy Boston camp.


The five question interview featuring 21-year old Nicole Sullivan is intriguing because it puts young people in touch with a narrative that could be coming from any one of their friends. She responds to questions with a strong sense of identity noting her membership to the queer community, the city of Somerville and local community college. She is a self-titled "activist" and has been involved in campaigns for more than just financial reform. She describes her perspective as one "from both sides of the fence" through her illustration of her family life and education and admits that, "once I lost the backbone of wealth, it did not matter how hard I worked. There is no way to win."


With Massachusetts reportedly having the third highest per capita personal income of $50, 735 in 2008 and a significant number of struggling citizens sprinkled throughout communities across the state, the concern of a dwindling middle class becomes a very real issue. Occupy Boston is not just a branch of a movement that targets the financial capital of the world, its a revolution to change the communities that subscribe to a "fend for yourself" attitude simply because they have the financial means to do so.

Ms. Sullivan's involvement with the Occupy Boston movement brings hope that young people are still engaged in their communities and will stand up for what they believe (even if its out of desperation). As a community, we must answer the call and support those who are disenfranchised and seek to make the world a better place like Ms. Sullivan. Her efforts, and those of her fellow activists,  have not gone unnoticed, thanks to media outlets like BLAST. In fact, their message is loud and clear.


And in case there was any doubt, Ms. Sullivan is going places, even if its not to the infamous Dewey Square encampment.


Read Nicole Sullivan's interview here: People of Occupy Boston: Nicole Sullivan


How are YOU going to get involved? Share ideas by commenting below!

Get Intimate with Cameron Russell

For the fashion faithful, the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show is a sparkly, ethereal explosion of beautifully mastered lingerie designs. Along with surprise musical guests and V.I.P.'s, many look forward to the new faces that grace the catwalk in search of the underwear empire's next big thing. This year, Bostonians need look no further than brunette beauty Cameron Russell.


Russell was born in Boston but raised in Cambridge. Her brush against fame came early, when she met then-President Bill Clinton at a speaking engagement at MIT. Clinton's words resounded in the young starlet's mind, inspiring her to make the most of her schooling and relationships with people. 


While vacationing in Maine, Russell was discovered at 16 by a retired agent and a year later signed to the prestigious Ford Models agency. Graduate of the Commonwealth School in Back Bay, Russell has worked with agencies such as Ford Models, DNA Model Management and Women Management and has been the subject of Steven Meisel, Craig McDean, and Nick Knight in projects for Vogue, Paris Vogue and Vogue Italia (to name a few).


For a city that's notorious for dropping r's at the ends of words, Russell will likely have jaws dropping November 29th when she debuts as a fresh face for the Victoria's Secret lineup. Even though she resides in New York, we can still love a girl who's known for her smile and interest in kung fu.

With extensive advertising campaigns and couture runway experience under her belt, that dirty water seems  to be working just fine for Miss Russell. Be sure to tune into CBS for the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 29th at 10 pm EST!

For more on Cameron Russell...