the bobbettes - mr. lee

I am playing this song on a loop today and I really want to share it with you. First of all, look at those girls. They look like babies! How young?

Those are the ladies that make up The Bobbettes. In 1957, they were the first all-girl doo-wop group to have a #1 hit song with "Mr. Lee." These ballers were from Harlem and they originally wrote this song about a teacher they definitely did NOT like, named Mr. Lee. Apparently he was a real jerk. GUESS WHAT THEY WERE ALSO IN THE GLEE CLUB. I'm dying.

At the suggestion of their label, they changed the lyrics to their song. Instead of calling him ugly, they called him handsome. Subtle changes can sell records, kids. Suddenly, Mr. Lee became a huge baller on wax. In 1959, the girls got a chance to record what they really thought with the alternate version "I Shot Mr. Lee." HELLO!

The Bobbettes - Mr. Lee

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blackstreet - no diggity

Strictly biz, she don't play around
Cover much ground, got game by the pound
Getting paid is a forte
Each and every day, true player way

I am totally reliving 1996 with my posts today, because here comes another stunna from that year. This is a light bulb video for me. I didn't know anything about rap music but I remember thinking that this sounded really tight. It was before I really understood how sampling worked. Someone knew what they were doing with this Bill Withers right here. I also thought anything with Dr. Dre at this time was like having Willie Mitchell producing (RIP). TRUST HIM, HE'S A DOCTOR. This video exists simply to remind me of trying to awkwardly dance in a circle of girls with chunky square heels and stuffed bras at a Lamar Middle School dance while all the boys stood in the corner.

Also, I've always believed this to star Lil' Penny. Is that in fact the baller himself or were they just trying to capitalize on the Lil' Penny fame of that season? A big year for that baller. There's also a grandpa Lil' Penny version in this video. Bigger question: WHY ARE THERE PUPPETS IN THE VIDEO? How hardcore can you really be, Blackstreet slash I'm into it completely.

I want this on my tombstone someday:

Attracting honeys like a magnet
Giving em eargasms with my mellow accent

who remembers lil' penny?

This little baller was all in the rage in 1996. Who remembers? He was a creepy puppet version of Penny Hardaway, who was playing for Orlando Magic at the time. I was so obsessed with Lil' Penny. I used to drop everything when the commercials came on. Check out his little Nikes! He was also voiced by Chris Rock. Note to all puppeteers: give your puppet a Chris Rock voice and it will be huge.

Santa didn't bring me a pair of Air Penny IIs this year, but I keep wishing. FOR REAL!

There are several Lil' Penny commercials to choose from, but this is a personal fave. This is so clear in my memory it's like it just aired. The tiny swim trunks. I am literally dying.

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