Motown magic stars: Motown magic stars refer to the talented musicians and artists who were part of the Motown record label during the 1960s and 1970s. Motown, short for Motor Town, was a music label founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. Motown magic stars became synonymous with the Motown sound, a unique blend of R&B, pop, and soul music. The label signed and nurtured some of the most iconic artists of the time, including Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5. Among these Motown magic stars, Stevie Wonder emerged as one of the leading musicians of his generation.
And it’s not just Ben. The show features several other black characters, young and old, including Ben’s parents - a strong black couple, very involved in Ben’s everyday life. This results in a powerful and beautiful sense of community through all the characters, black or not.
The show features several other black characters, young and old, including Ben s parents - a strong black couple, very involved in Ben s everyday life. He s not a side character or a token black friend usually added in to appease black audiences - always good for a quick trendy quip or urban related remark.
Among these Motown magic stars, Stevie Wonder emerged as one of the leading musicians of his generation. With his soulful voice and immense musical talent, he produced a string of chart-topping hits like "Superstition" and "My Cherie Amour." Marvin Gaye, known for his smooth vocals, released timeless classics such as "What's Going On" and "Sexual Healing.
Netflix Gets It Right With Motown Magic
Netflix and chilling is now part of our regular routines and the ever ready stream of entertainment has made it easy for 1 in 4 Canadians to cut the cord.
But Netflix at times can come across as stale, and lacking creativity. Especially if you’re looking for diversity in programming for young children.
That all changed last month with the debut of Motown Magic, a new animated children’s series created by Josh Wakely produced exclusively for Netflix. The series follows an 8-year-old African American boy named Ben as he uses a magic paintbrush (and his wide-eyed imagination) to bring colourful street art to life in his city. All with the classic sounds of Motown playing intermittently throughout the show.
Wakely, who won an Emmy for creating/producing the Netflix children animated series Beat Bug which was inspired by the music of the Beatles, claimed the worldwide rights for Motown music in order to feature it in Motown Magic. Iconic hits from the likes of The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and Smokey Robinson (who served as executive music producer for the show) are recorded by contemporary artists, with a different mix of tracks specifically aligned with the theme of each episode.
Aside from being a light, uptempo program with lost of nostalgia for parents to connect with, the visuals of Motown Magic are just outstanding. The animation and colour scheme are as vivid as they get. Oh, and it’s very well written from the jump. The script, visuals and music fit together perfectly. Nothing seems out of place.
But the real reason this series is so great is Ben - the sole Alpha lead in the show is as an African American male. He’s not a side character or a ‘token’ black friend usually added in to appease black audiences - always good for a quick trendy quip or urban related remark. But Ben is a confident, smart, witty kid with a sense of adventure.
And it’s not just Ben. The show features several other black characters, young and old, including Ben’s parents - a strong black couple, very involved in Ben’s everyday life. This results in a powerful and beautiful sense of community through all the characters, black or not.
Why am I making such a big deal about this? That’s because it is a big deal. Representation of our community in all types of visual media on the small screen is something we should all desire and demand to see more of. Especially on Netflix, which currently has 137 million global subscribers. Our community craves more productions that understand our sometimes complicated, but tremendously resilient black culture.
Black lead characters aside, it’s the classic sounds of Motown that really make this series shine. Through the series a whole new generation is introduced to iconic songs like ‘Dancing Machine’ by The Jackson 5. It creates unexpected dialogue with our children about the history of black music and musicians whose influence have stood the test of time. As a parent I have no issue with my 6 and 4 year-old watching all 25 episodes of Motown Magic on heavy rotation.
With Motown Magic, my hope is Netflix will continue to explore and offer programming for children and families as diverse as its global audience. I easily give Motown Magic 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Sheldon Barrocks is an experienced creative freelance writer, blogger and content creator with over 10 years experience. Combined with an extensive background in business management, Sheldon has a passion for telling unique stories from the black perspective and is committed to sharing his expertise on black business and career enhancement.
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" The Supremes, led by the charismatic Diana Ross, became one of the most successful female groups in history. With hits like "Baby Love" and "You Can't Hurry Love," they dominated the music charts and inspired generations of artists. The Jackson 5, fronted by a young Michael Jackson, burst onto the scene with their infectious energy and catchy tunes. Their songs like "ABC" and "I Want You Back" captivated audiences worldwide, making Michael Jackson a global superstar in later years. What set the Motown magic stars apart was not just their exceptional talent, but also the quality of songwriting and production. Motown had a team of talented writers, arrangers, and producers, including Holland-Dozier-Holland and Smokey Robinson, who crafted hit after hit for the label's artists. Motown magic stars not only brought joy and entertainment to audiences but also played a significant role in breaking racial barriers in the music industry. The success of Motown's African-American artists paved the way for greater acceptance and recognition in the mainstream music scene. Even today, the music of Motown magic stars continues to resonate with listeners of all ages. The timeless melodies, powerful vocals, and soulful performances have secured their place in music history, cementing Motown's legacy as one of the most influential record labels of all time. In conclusion, Motown magic stars like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5, among others, were integral to the success and influence of the Motown record label. Their talent, songs, and performances continue to inspire and captivate audiences, making them legends in the world of music..
Reviews for "The Motown Sound: How the Magic Stars Created a Musical Revolution"
1. Sarah - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with Motown Magic Stars. I had high expectations, but the show fell flat for me. The acting seemed forced, and the storyline was quite predictable. Additionally, the musical numbers didn't do justice to the original Motown hits they were supposed to be recreating. Overall, it lacked the energy and passion that I associate with Motown music.
2. Michael - 1 star: I couldn't wait for Motown Magic Stars to end. The whole production felt very amateurish. The actors seemed to be struggling with their lines and lacked chemistry on stage. The costumes and set design were also underwhelming. It's a shame because Motown music is iconic, but this show failed to capture any of its magic.
3. Jessica - 2 stars: I found Motown Magic Stars to be quite lackluster. The performances were average at best, and I didn't feel any emotional connection to the characters or their stories. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on for too long, while others felt rushed. The show seemed to rely too heavily on audience nostalgia for Motown music, instead of offering a compelling and engaging experience in its own right.
4. David - 3 stars: As a fan of Motown music, I had high hopes for Motown Magic Stars. While the performances were solid and the music was enjoyable, the overall production left much to be desired. The storyline felt cliché and lacked depth, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. Additionally, the costumes and choreography were nothing special. It was an okay show, but I expected more from a production that was supposed to pay homage to the iconic Motown era.
5. Emily - 2 stars: I was underwhelmed by Motown Magic Stars. The actors seemed out of sync with each other, and their delivery felt forced. The set design was uninspiring, lacking the vibrant and colorful atmosphere that should accompany Motown music. The show lacked the energy and excitement that I associate with Motown performances, and I was left feeling disappointed and unimpressed.