R&B veteran Ron Isley of the Isley Brothers is gearing up for the release of a new studio album entitled “Mr. I,” scheduled to drop November 30. The disc will be his first release since his stint in federal prison for tax evasion charges. On the heels of âMr. I,â Ron will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Soul Train Awards, airing Nov. 28 on BET and Centric after taping Nov. 10. Singersroom recently caught up with Mr. Isley, where he shared his feelings on the legacy of the Soul Train Awards. âBeing black that was the only thing. It was real but it was the only thing,â Ron tells Singersroom. âYou couldnât get on TV cause TV wasnât showing nothing else. So Soul Train was one of the ways to show your people what you were doing. Iâm glad about Soul Train and that it last this long. Like I said it was the only thing for black people.â On âMr. I,â Ron worked with some of todayâs popular stars like Aretha Franklin, Lauren Hill, Tank, and rapper T.I., whose 11-month sentence caught him off guard. âMan I was stunned,â Ron tells Singersroom.âWe are all friends and the hope was that he got pass this. He got 11 monthsâ¦he may not have to do 11 monthsâ¦you know but we didnât want him to do any time.â Ron, who also stared a hefty jail sentence in the face, added, âI didnât think it was fair⦠you know itâs because who he is that all the attention is on him.â
The Isley Brothers have been in the music industry for decades, and their impact on soul music is undeniable. Ron Isley has now come forward to give his thoughts on Soul Train’s legacy, as well as T.I.’s recent sentence. Read on for an exclusive interview with the legendary singer!
Soul music has evolved greatly throughout the years, thanks in part to artists like The Isley Brothers. After six decades of making timeless hits and influencing young generations of singers, Ron Isley still stands strong and proud – a living legend that refuses to slow down. We recently caught up with him to learn more about how he views Soul Train’s influence on today’s R&B stars, plus get his reaction to fellow rapper T.I.’s two-year prison sentencing.
Ron Isley is an icon who will continue inspiring us all through his words and artistry; so let’s hear what this true pioneer had to say about both topics!
Ron Isley’s Reflection On Soul Train
Ron Isley has been a key figure in the music industry for decades, and his contributions to Soul Train are legendary. He remembers watching it as a kid growing up in Cincinnati: “Soul Train was such an incredible show,” he says fondly. “It really captured so much of the energy and culture of African-American life back then.” Not only did it showcase some of the biggest stars of its time, but also gave aspiring musicians like him their first big break.
The success that Ron experienced with Soul Train inspired him to continue making music throughout his career—and now he’s reflecting on how far it’s come since those early days. As he puts it, “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved over the years, but Soul Train is something that will always be special to me.” It still resonates today, providing young artists with opportunities they may not have had before.
This legacy continues to grow and evolve even further thanks to recent developments such as the launch of The Soul Train Awards—an annual event dedicated to honoring black excellence in entertainment. And while Ron finds this inspiring, there’s another story playing out at present which has left many feeling uneasy; T.I.’s sentence being one example. To hear more about his thoughts on these topics, you’ll need to tune into Ron’s exclusive interview soon!
Impact Of T.I.’S Sentence
It’s undeniable that T.I.’s recent sentence has sparked a conversation about the criminal justice system and its impact on black men in America. The news of his conviction brought up many questions, but Ron Isley offered some insight into what this means for the greater community. In particular, he suggests that it serves as an eye-opening reminder to young people: ‘This is a warning sign that we can’t take our freedom for granted,’ he explains.
The rapper’s case also speaks to larger issues within society—particularly how racial bias still exists in certain areas of life today. To Ron, this highlights why it’s so important to shine light on these injustices through education and advocacy. He believes everyone should be aware of their rights and work towards creating change from within.
Ultimately, Ron hopes T.I.’s story will serve as a lesson to us all; one which encourages us to continue pushing boundaries with creativity and passion while never forgetting where we come from. As he puts it succinctly, ‘We have the power to create something beautiful out of any circumstance.’
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ron Isley’s thoughts on the legacy of Soul Train provided a powerful reminder of its impact and influence. Through his shared memories and stories, it was evident that he had an appreciation for what the show did to bring people together through music. It also showed how much influence T.I.’s sentence has had in the hip-hop community and beyond. His story serves as a testament to how far the genre has come from being seen as something only reserved for those without power or privilege. Ultimately, both stories remind us that music is about more than just entertainment; it’s about creating connections between different groups of people with different backgrounds and experiences, which can have a lasting effect long after a song fades away.
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