On December 3, 2019, then-Senator Kamala Harris suspended her presidential campaign. Later that day, she and some campaign staff let off a little steam by dancing to Beyoncé's remake of Frankie Beverly's classic "Before I Let Go."
That moment encapsulates the relationship that we, in the Black community, mainly formed with Frankie Beverly and his music.
We've played his music during college line dances, family barbeques, weddings, or house cleaning on Saturday mornings. Fans have worn all white (Frankie Beverly's signature look) to his concerts. He became a legend of New Orleans, often closing out the annual Essence Music Festival there. You can't think of the history of Black music and not think of Frankie Beverly. In many ways, he was its captain.
He was that rare artist who, into his 70s, still sold out concerts, even without any new music. When you learned Frankie Beverly and Maze were coming to town, you'd go because you knew you'd hear music that took you down memory lane. It was music about love in all its forms. He commanded the stage, and you could not help but be on your feet for the entire concert.
Frankie Beverly singing his classic “Joy and Pain” on November 30, 2019
A message in the music: Frankie Beverly taught us that “We Are One.”
Among his catalogue of hits was “Running Away.” But fans never ran away from the amazing Frankie Beverly
Thank you, Frankie Beverly, for all the “Happy Feelings” you gave us through your music.
On September 11, Frankie Beverly's family announced his death at age 77. Since then, we have collectively mourned a loss in the Black American family. We've mourned the death of an artist who was indeed of and for the culture.