Missy Elliott, Kehlani, Phonte & More Are Revealing Random Music Facts on Twitter
Twitter users and artists alike joined in to spread little-known knowledge.
Twitter user Beverly T. Gooden gave music fans early Christmas presents on Monday evening. Gooden sparked dozens of musical revelations by tweeting a simple request to her followers.
Tweet your most random music fact.
— Bev Gooden (@bevtgooden) December 24, 2019
The timeline quickly sprang into action. Everyone joined in, from relatives of near-stars to the superstars themselves. Contributions ranged from the Motown era to the golden days of hip-hop.
My good friend/cousin Travis (far right), was an original in New Edition, but left the group to play ball (He was really good). A month later they were discovered and Ronnie took his place…#OrchardPark pic.twitter.com/T3zkJMbu0L
— LeVelle Moton (@LeVelleMoton) December 25, 2019
One of Elton John’s first gigs was playing keys for The Isley Brothers https://t.co/8H2DwYqzjA
— Alex Isley (@LoveAlexIsley) December 25, 2019
Little Brother’s Phonte offered a blast from the past featuring The Spinners, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, and Diana Ross.
The reel for Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” is supposedly labeled as “I’ll Be Around soundalike.”
I played ‘em back to back and had a *Wee Bey gif* moment. https://t.co/SciY0Ma0q0
— Phonte (@phontigallo) December 24, 2019
Aretha Franklin turned down Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be.” She also rejected “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out,” which later went to Diana Ross. https://t.co/SciY0Ma0q0
— Phonte (@phontigallo) December 24, 2019
Phonte’s music fact inspired a music fact of its own. New Orleans-based DJ Soul Sister added a gem regarding a demo track that floated around between Rick James, Teena Marie, and Diana Ross.
Rick James initially pitched “I’m Just a Sucker for Your Love” (1979) to Diana Ross, who rejected it. Teena Marie wound up accepting the song, and sang the duet with Rick for her debut album. (This random music fact inspired by @phontigallo’s random music fact.) https://t.co/BEjj2H8U2W
— DJ Soul Sister (@djsoulsister) December 24, 2019
Oakland songstress Kehlani got in on the action, revealing the source of her earliest songwriting credit. Spoiler alert: it appeared in an incredibly unlikely source.
my first songwriting placement was “In My Feelings” by Kevin Gates https://t.co/JnfepKh2Nr
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) December 26, 2019
One of the biggest revelations of the day, however, came directly from Missy Elliott herself. Initially, Elliott revealed just how long her debut album SupaDupaFly took to create. Subsequently, she revealed one of her four Grammy-winning performances was a last-second addition to the album.
I recorded my 1st album with “SupaDupaFly” with @Timbaland in 2 weeks… https://t.co/4xshNxCJ5X
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) December 27, 2019
“Get ya Freak On” almost didn’t make my album. My album was completed but I said @Timbaland we need one more joint & we ended up doing GET YA FREAK On & it became the 1st single off the album🔥🙌🏾 https://t.co/4xshNxCJ5X
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) December 27, 2019
The posts went from mind-blowing to outright hilarious. For example, there’s this story about the creation of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
There were 91 different mixed of MJs Billie Jean…..they ended up using the second mix.
— CalQuin (@GimmieABeat) December 24, 2019
This story about Rick Ross‘s preferred studio ambiance borders on parody.
Fat Trel once told me: Rick Ross invited him over to record after signing with MMG. Rick Ross orders an abundance of expensive steaks. Trel thinks they about to eat. Rick Ross puts all the steaks out and says “these are not for eating, just the aroma”.. and was dead ass serious😂 https://t.co/JZp0hbDjLw
— Jake Sinatra (@JakeManUP) December 27, 2019
One of the most important revelations behind these facts is that classic records are quite often the result of happenstance. The story of D. Angelo’s “Untitled” is yet another example of lightning striking mid-session.
I just learned Untitled – D’Angelo was written and recorded in a couple of hours between himself and Raphael Saadiq after Saadiq knocked on the Electric Lady Studios door looking for some weed and D’Angelo answered it and was like “hell yeah I got some weed, wanna write a song?”
— midnight at the oasis (@nubiansweet) December 25, 2019
I snuck into a Club Bed in Miami when I was underage, was dancing during the reggae set, and Fat Joe asked me to teach him the dance I was doing. It was the Rockaway, and he recorded Lean Back the next week. https://t.co/hClTkXY2UP
— A Tall Glass Of Hennessy (@beequammie) December 26, 2019
Search Twitter to find even more music facts.