(Interview from February 2003)

Princess Tam Tam’s centering stance on the prominence of the black woman, as house diva in particularized house music scenes and cultures is obvious through her tool of diva delight. However, the active engagement of other voices beyond these ‘dark majesties’ is answered by this month’s focus on yet another talent from the home of vocal house, New Jersey’s Brother Talipharaoh.

Brother Talipharaoh was born in Jersey but raised between the Garden State and Honolulu, Hawaii. Ever since 1990 in the heyday of house music popular both in the United States metropolitan areas and in Europe, Brother Talipharaoh has brought his musical talents and skills to the dance floor through singing and writing.

After a hiatus is 1994, Talipharaoh has been back in the scene stronger that ever by keeping busy with shooting an exclusive music video for future release in addition to working on a duet with Kym Beacham, the Jersey Diva herself, whom was featured earlier on divadelight. In a first for diva delight, recording artist, vocalist and songwriter Brother Talipharaoh is the first featured male house artist on diva delight.       

Now you know divadelight has proclivities for female vocalists and performers. Do you believe in the notion of the house diva? How do you fit in as a male house vocalist and artist?

Oh, yes. I definitely believe in house divas, the female artists all have that "thing". Whatever way you'd like to call it. As a male artist, I don't really see that diva thing in me. * laughs * Except all entertainers have a little ego in them. Most male artists I know have that strong brutha vibe!

Where did your inspiration and guidance come from?

I'd give credit to GOD. I always loved dance music, from disco up. Initially I just wanted to do dance as a stepping stone to a balladeer career. Like Luther Vandross did. The spirituality of soulful underground house was calling me from my ancestral memory banks. That beat calls my soul home to Mother Africa, and I am powerless in trying to ignore it. So, here I am!

Tell me some of your favorite house vocalists, djs, clubs, and songs...

Females include Jocelyn Brown, SuSu Bobien (my partner in crime), Dawn Tallman, Julie McKnight, Kim English, Kym Beacham, Michelle Weeks. All the emotional singers from deep in the soul.

Males include Michael Watford, Kenny Bobien, Michael Proctor, Byron Stingly, Daryl D'Boneau, the late Donnell Rush, Xavior, and that Brother Talipharaoh dude. * laughs * Very inspiring voices.

As for DJ’s, I’d say Tony Humphries, Louis Bennedetti, Master Kev, Francois K, Bobby & Steve, J.D. Donaldson and "Little" Louie Vega. All are unique in their own way, but powerful.

Zanzibar, The Shelter, Paradox, Club 88 and City Gardens are some of my favorite clubs. Only Shelter and Paradox remain open.

Some of my favorite songs include ‘My Love', Michael Watford, ‘If Only You Knew’, Donnell Rush, ‘Hit and Run’, Loleattta Holloway, ‘Nights Over Egypt’, Incognito featuring Jocelyn Brown ‘Shelter’, Xavior, ‘He Did It For Me’, Dawn Tallman, ‘Thinking About Your Love’, Skipworth and Turner, and ‘Lift Him Up’, SuSu Bobien and myself. Nuff said!

Brother Talipharaoh

How would you describe the state of the jersey/nyc club scene now?

It needs much work but the true believers keep the music alive in New York City. Jersey has struggled, especially from New Brunswick to Trenton. It's good to see Newark revitalizing things. I'd like to see more venues because there are many slamming dj's that don't have big names and could be stars if exposed. If we hold on and keep believing, things will keep looking up.

What are you feelings on the current state of dance music in the states and abroad?

The state of the music in the United States stink! Not the music, but the marketing of the music. Club owners want hip hop. That is until they shoot up their clubs. I hear the undertones that House is gay music because of the steadfast support of the gay community. However, I feel that house music is people’s music and I appreciate everyone who supports it, the artists, and especially me. Hey, a brutha gotta eat! MTV has not even a single hour a week devoted to dance. Gone are The Grind and AMP as well as House Vibes on BET. The old Video Music Box rocked some house. It's all gone in favor of that poppycock boy band and negative lyrics, in addition to materialistic sounding rap. If you do hear dance, it's Cher, Amber or pop star's dance mixes. I hear the Ministry of Sound in London is in trouble and bigger venues overseas are slowly moving away from our music too. So things are tough all over. We can be hear all day on this subject.

Despite these sentiments, Brother Talipharaoh envisions a long tenure with dance music and states with enthusiasm that five years from now he will, ‘Still be singing and writing. I'd like to develop some artists and maybe learn to produce. As long as my health cooperates, I’d like to minister the glory of spiritual dance until I'm eighty years old. Then I'll retire!’

Additional Links and Information

Brother Talipharaoh webpage:   www.talipharaoh.djcentral.com

Listen to audio snippets of Brother Talipharaoh's Bumpin' City tracks on www.bumpincity.com

Listen to 'Powersource' in its entirety at www.yellorange.com, Master Kev archive mix MK-16

Brother Talipharaoh Discography

'Luscious Lady' Studio 4 Records 1991, Produced By Taravohnty

'Lift Him Up' Funky People w/ SuSu Bobien 1996, Produced by Blaze

'Powersource'  Bumpin' City Records 2001, Produced by King Supreme (Original Drum)

'GOD Will Take U Back' Bumpin' City Records 2001, Produced by Full Frequency

'Live Together' Bumpin' City Records 2002, Produced by DJ Cee Rule

divadelight is saddened to report that sabrynaah pope, one of the premier dance music artists in the industry has left us and passed on september 24, 2005. i had the pleasure to meeting her in miami during the winter music conference and again at halcyon in brooklyn. she lived in germany and had always been an inspiration to me as a true diasporic and soulful diva presenting her voice and soul around the world. she will truly be missed. for more information, please visit her website at sabrynaahpope.com.

love, princess tamtam

How did you get your start in the music business?

I started in the music business with a Mobile DJ operation in 1980-1988. I started by collecting 45s and albums from my parents at the age of seven years old. I now have over 20,000 records which I continue to use to make the business work. I have spun for over twenty-four years and entertained party people ‘til this very day! I’ve also played music in various New York City  clubs and Radio Stations.

How and why did Cyberjamz Radio begin?

Cyberjamz Internet Radio began when "some" people were discussing the possibility of the death of dance music in general. In order to prove that our musical culture was and is still alive, an outlet was needed for djs to express themselves, continue our musical journey and connect the true house music people back to their roots of music. Hence, I created Cyberjamz Internet Radio www.cyberjamz.com. 

I must say it’s a success. I was one of the first broadcasters doing fifteen hour sets everyday for seven days a week! As time passed, more and more broadcasters (DJs) became interested in the vision that I had in reference to keeping house music traditional. I must add that without the blessings from above to fuel my spiritual drive, Cyberjamz would not be where it is today. I want to thank the spiritual world for guidance.

What do you think of the role of traditional broadcast radio when compared to online and satellite radio?

The role is quite different in that in traditional radio a select format must be followed vs. online and satellite radio where it’s more flexible to express yourself and no FCC regulations to follow. No commercials and more freedom of speech. Less formatting and more music: this is what I love about online and satellite radio.

How you recruit people for your programming?

I recruit the broadcasters based on their demo mix tape session, knowledge of all kinds of music and of course attitude. I would not consider someone for programming based on how popular they are or their ego. They must be able to become part of the family and work as on unit and keep the music and program interesting by connecting with the listeners.

Where did you get the name Cyberjamz from?

Funny you should ask this. I sat down to think for a minute in front of my computer. It was like a bolt of lighting!! I stood up and said to myself, all these wonderful people in the "Cyber" world, why not serve them with some "Jams" aka Tunes. It really took some time for the name to stick, but by the next day I convinced myself that the words Cyber(space) and Jams fit well together. I then wrote both words and changed the letter "s" to "z"...Now we have a place we now call home for music:  Cyberjamz Radio!

Where do you see Cyberjamz five or ten years from now?

It’s been three years now that Cyberjamz has been in the forefront of the underground music scene. We have and still are progressing, by adding new shows and now the invitation by XM Satellite Radio. We are now also part of XM Radio The Move on Channel 80, every Wednesday night from 6pm-7pm EST USA time with encores every Saturday 5pm-6pm EST USA time and Monday 6am-7am EST USA time. So in that respect we have evolved into something special. 

As far as the future for Cyberjamz Radio?  Only the spirit world knows for sure, but what I can say is that Cyberjamz Radio and the supports love our station and appreciate all the hard work that went into creating something out of nothing. It can be done with a vision and the drive to make it work. Hopefully we will expand and have multiple Cyberjamz Channels around the world. Cyberjamz Japan, Cyberjamz UK, Cyberjamz Europe, and more. The next step is to take Cyberjamz in the I-Pod world of live streaming. All we can do is hope and keep our dreams alive.

How had the internet changed your relationship with and to music and the industry?

The internet is a fantastic way to convert the unconverted. An opportunity to express and share our love for music with people that otherwise cannot attend dance clubs or are working and would love to hear music via the internet. These shows are not pre-recorded; therefore they are listening to a live feed from broadcasters/djs from all over the world. This is what makes Cyberjamz Radio special. The industry has now taken notice of our station and the ways of the cyber-world. The music industry now understands the power of the internet; therefore their music can be heard by a much larger audience than regular radio, especially if it’s in the genre of Dance Music.

With this said, the music industry has now embraced the fact that the internet and radio stations like Cyberjamz can and will make a difference in sales and help them prepare a better marketing tool for their upcoming releases by allowing us to market their product before it hits the stores. This is something Cyberjamz Radio is very proud of.  We are here to serve and protect our way of life by keeping our culture and house music traditional.

drag divas in japan...arigato gozaimas, giiirrrrllllll!

on the system now...Mary Ridley and Morie Bivins of Bas Noir...

photo courtesy of nu groove records