Little Known Ratchet History Fact #1: The "Twerk" Revolution

Happy Black History Month!!!   

I know your favorite blogs, radio shows and tv networks are doing the obligatory nod to great moments in black history. You're gonna hear stories about Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jim Crow and The Montgomery Bus Boycott among other things. This AIN'T what that is. The time is long overdue for us to salute ratchets for their contributions to American History. That time is now. 

Join me on this 87th anniversary of Negro History Week as I share some little known facts about ratchet history throughout this month. Why? Because ratchets deserve history books and you will DEAL. In today's installment, we learn about The "Twerk" Revolution. 

Twerk (v): A combination of dance moves that involve wining and gyrating one's hips and booty in a sexually provocative manner. Made popular by a group of Atlanta-based dancers called "The Twerk Team." 

According to their Facebook Fan Page (get into it!), the Twerk Team is an Atlanta based dance group that started in 2005. The two official members, Mizz Twerksum and Lady Luscious, got their start by dancing at house parties. The two got their big break after they posted a video of them dancing to Soulja Boy's "She Got a Donk" and it got over 1 million views on Youtube in the 1st week. 

Although the group currently has two official members, the ladies have added (and cut) other members like Betty Butt, Kandy Girl and Shawty Bear. Some time in 2009, they began building a following with their #TwerkTeamThursday booty shaking videos. At that time, Thursdays signaled the release of new videos by the three ladies "twerking" to different rap and hip-hop songs. When Waka Flocka Flames gave them props in his "Ass Clap" song with the line "Bounce that ass/shake that ass like the Twerk Team" he sent amateur twerkers into a frenzy and helped The Twerk Team take their career to the next level. 

Once the Twerk Team's career took off, the Twerking Revolution began.  The ladies began traveling nationwide to do shows and host/judge Twerking Contests. Thousands of women began uploading videos of themselves twerking in their underwear at home. A quick check of the site YouTwerk.com shows just how many "girls next door" are twerking. There have been twerking contests via Twitter, WorldStarHipHop and even Facebook (which is usually behind on the ratchet curve). If you don't have at least one person uploading videos of themselves twerking with captions like "just playing around" you're losing at using social media.

I'm from South Florida so I'm down with all kinds of dancing. The women (and men) in South Florida have been twerking since Morgan Freeman was a lil boy, but the Twerk Team has made it a "thing." iSalute them for that. Twerk Team's videos feature the women wearing form fitting clothes while twerking to popular songs in front of a large mirror inside of a home. Their videos average 1 million views. To the untrained eye, it appears the ladies merely throw on a pair of shorts in an empty house and dance the same damn dances to whatever song is getting the most radio play. And that's fine. 

You can follow them on twitter: @TwerkTeam 
So what do you think of the Twerk Revolution? Do you know any amateur twerkers? Do you or any of your friends twerk? I'm listening. 

Twitter: @LegallyRatchet1

Facebook: Talented Generation

Email: TalentedGeneration@gmail.com

**UPDATED: Music Monday: Drake's "Practice" (official video added)

Someone in Drake's camp gave him the "okie doke" when it came to his decision to remake the classic hood anthem "Back That A$$ Up." I'm not knocking Drake's efforts BUT...ok I'm knocking Drake's efforts. Some things should just be left alone. AND YES, my opinion is based solely on my not so shameful love for the original song. Its also influenced by my opinion that Drake's album is softer than a cotton ball soaked for a fortnight in baby oil. You mad?

As for the official video, either the budget was low or Drake owed the featured "model/dancer" a favor. I guess it's a sign of the direction music videos are takin. Long gone are the "Thriller" or "Trapped in the Closet(tehehe)" productions where directors and artists put forth maximum efforts to give the fans a quality video. Now all we see is a stiff (unconfirmed twerk team reject) chick fake dancing in front of a mirror. I've seen better amateur vids on Youtube -__-<<--that right there is the blankest of blank stares.
In case you can't tell, I'll just put it out there:
It looks last minute.
It looks basic.
It looks like everyone involved said "f*ck effort."
Its not a classic song so after a month, no one will care.

There! I said it! Don't be mad, you were thinkin it! If you weren't, mosey on over to WSHH and watch videos of ratchet girls fighting on the train.

I don't see the genius behind his album and I don't think having a few club hits that can barely be tolerated 2 months after removed from radio circulation qualifies him to carry his nuts like he's the greatest to ever put his mouth on a mic (pun!). Don't get confused, I'm not knocking his hustle or his success. I just struggle with separating *this* Drake from Wheelchair Jimmy on Degrassi. The original is everything Drake's remake is not and will never be. Drake doesn't seem concerned with making classic music or lifelong anthems we can listen to years from now. Lowkey, I can't blame him because people making classics aren't banking the type of dough Drake is banking(or claims he's banking). If making music for the people right now is his steez, more power to him. It seems he's found a formula that works for him and thats fine.

BTW, just in case you're not UP on the Big Ghost Chronicles blog click here and prepare to giggle yourself to tears. You're welcome.

Morning Inspiration

GREAT morning folks! Let me be the first to say THANK GAWD ITS FRIIII-DAY! This was one hell of a long week and I am glad its over!

Now its time to reflect on the week and brainstorm how you can make next week even better with today's quote. 

"Never take a person's dignity: it is worth everything to them and nothing to you." -Frank Barron


Before I get started on my usual rant, I'm gonna break from my usual routine and share a short story I came across when I was randomly surfing the innanets. 


During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. Absolutely, said the professor. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello". I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.


This story reminds me of the Judge who spoke at our pinning ceremony. I will never forget how he discussed making the most money representing his school's janitor in a personal injury case. He built a relationship with her by genuinely speaking and being interested in how she was doing. He did not do this with an ulterior motive, he genuinely grew to care about her.  He watched and corrected his colleagues who tried to treat her as a second class citizen. He was raised by his grandmother who always taught him to respect people regardless of the occupation. Respect everyone. Treat your waiters and waitresses, garbage collectors, retail salespeople and dog walkers with dignity and respect. You may be riding high and mighty now, but no man is an island. You can not succeed by yourself. The waiter you were mean to might just be the next CEO of a company you might need donations from in the future. That salesperson you were rude to might become the next Johnnie Cochran. Take care to learn and pronounce someone's name.


Today's Song Choice-Drake Trust Issues.