Soul Train Turns 50!
Some thoughts on the Black maximalism fever dream of a show. Plus: 6 films by Black women to watch for Women's History Month.
Many of my favorite things I would simply describe as a ‘Black maximalism fever dream’, or an infectious aesthetic of Black abundance. These fever-dreams of Blackness are where I have retreated to throughout the pandemic and most of my life. But there is one fever dream in particular that wraps me up and carries me home each time: the music-dance show Soul Train.
Soul Train — the nationally syndicated show unabashedly by, for, and about Black people’s vision, art, groove, and dance — turns 50 this year. I am overwhelmed by the thought of this momentous occasion.
Since its inception, the soulful music and dance show helmed by Don Cornelius, became a barometer for what is ‘cool.’ With aesthetic roots in Chicago (where the show was founded locally) and Los Angeles, Soul Train is a reflection of a national Black image that we continue to conjure: The trends we create and cultivate set the standard for what is hip.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve cherished and hoarded every Soul Train performance I could find. Where many scramble for pronounced visions of themselves in media, I’ve never had to search too hard for a vision of myself to hold on to: Soul Train, and its magnificent displays of the Black fantastic, considered me before I was a thought and had visions for what I could be.
The musically adventurous show, rooted in the spirit of Black celebration, picked up where the 1960s Black is Beautiful movement left off by becoming the cultural guide on how to dress, dance, and what to listen to for a new era. The show celebrated and championed the who’s who of Black music’s past, present, and future. By effectively catapulting Black sound and aesthetic to the masses, it cemented its legacy as a powerful, singular display of Blackness.
In the Black musical tradition, how you do something is as important as what you do. The ‘how’ in Soul Train is the fulfillment of a Black aesthetic that was crafted for us, by us. Though, I understand multiple things are true: the show served as both a Black cultural document crafted for Black people and a tool to perpetuate widespread acceptance of Black art and culture. The ‘soul train’ had multiple tracks to navigate and the gaze of non-Blacks as the show entered the 80s (and beyond!) by welcoming white acts to its trendsetting platform.
The impact of this show is immeasurable. The impact it had on Black music’s popularity? Incalculable. The ‘train’ tracks a large swath of Black musical history from 70s funk to early 00s hip-hop and everything in between. I am wrapped up in gratitude by its existence.
Won’t you celebrate the 50th anniversary of the incomparable show with me? I’ve created an ongoing, public Youtube playlist that will collect every Soul Train performance I find.
As always, in parting, I wish you love, peace, and soul.
6 Films by Black Women to Watch for Women’s History Month:
Test Pattern (2021) dir. Shatara Michelle Ford
Commandment Keeper Church, Beaufort South Carolina (1940) dir. Zora Neale Hurston
Cycles (1989) dir. Zeinabu irene Davis
The Body Beautiful (1991) dir. Ngozi Onwurah
A Tribute to Malcolm X (1967) dir. Madeline Anderson | Also here.
Four Women (1975) dir. Julie Dash | Also here.
this made my whole week and these films are !!! 😩💖 have you seen any of cauleen smith's work? she brings on this amateurish wonder to black futurist explorations that i think is really special and actually makes her narrative construction feel a lot tighter, definitely too underseen. hope everything's good, thanks a lot for this!