West Coast Styles

#1 Source for West Coast Music, News, Events and Culture. Home of the Original West Coast Rydaz

“Soul Train” Turns 50

Over the weekend, the iconic dance television show turned 50. The show first became syndicated on October 2, 1971. MSNBC’s Tiffany Cross perfectly described the show as “a cultural institution showcasing black music and culture.” The show was created and hosted by producer Don Cornelius.

While initially hesitant to embrace Hip-Hop, the show eventually did begin showcasing rap acts as the genre grew in popularity. Some notable Hip-Hop performers to appear on the show included The Sugarhill Gang, Run-DMC, and Kurtis Blow.

And the current generation gets its props for educating younger fans about Soul Train, most notably Migos’ 2018’s “Walk It Talk It” video. In the clip, everyone is on a show called Culture Ride where Migos sport 70s fashion, Drake appears in a dance line, and Jamie Foxx portrays the host named Ron Delirious.

Shad Reed

I grew up in Michigan, and graduated from high school in 2005. I then attended Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where I majored in Music Business and received a Bachelor's of Business Administration Degree. During my time in school there, I began writing for Billboard magazine. And then, after contributing to a Nashville-based music site as a hip-hop correspondent, I was able to transition into a role as a features writer for AllHipHop.com. If Sidney Shaw from 'Brown Sugar' were to ask me, "When did you fall in love with hip-hop?", my answer would be Snoop Doggy Dogg and Coolio in the mid-90s. Therefore, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to now be at West Coast Styles and be conducting interviews and creating think pieces about how the culture has affected people, politics, and society as a whole. Peace and blessings to all.

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