The Original Album Club: Clubhouse's Safe Haven for R&B Music Nerds
By Paige Boyd, Managing Editor
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Social Media was frequently used as a way to stay connected. On Clubhouse, founded in 2020, thousands of users pile into audio rooms based on similar interests, from sports, to astrology, to gossip. However, there was a lack of a space for true music connoisseurs to relax and discuss, especially in the urban music space.
And then... The Original Album Club was born.
Dubbed as a "book club for music lovers," The Original Album Club (OAC) was started in 2021 by Beats Gordy, a former tour guide of Detroit's Motown Museum, as a way to meet with like-minded people with a true appreciation of R&B/Soul music and the massive impact on Black Culture. As he was frequenting the various rooms with music battles and music news, he felt that there was something missing: an opportunity to go in-depth about the various albums and artists that shaped his generation.
After receiving a great response from opening a room discussing Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life, the idea of the club was cultivated, and soon, he would look for a team to bring his idea to life. From there, he recruited rising NC producer EJ.Iz.Dope and Kiss 107.1 (Saginaw, MI) radio personality Paige B. to join the team, along with a pair of music insiders, music manager/agent Marquez Gaines and publisher/promoter Kevin Nelson. Soon after, the OAC was on its way.
Now a year in, The OAC has become a hot spot for conversation, great music, and positive energy. Of course, they provide a fun atmosphere with music battles, bracket-style competitions, and music game nights. However. setting them apart are their album appreciation rooms, "Anatomy of a Hit" rooms, and artist celebration events, where fans have the rare opportunity to share the stage with iconic musical acts. Artists like The Whispers, SWV, RL of Next, Howard Hewitt and members of funk bands Switch, Klymaxx, and Lakeside are just a few of the names that have stopped by the Original Album Club. Also stopping by are iconic songwriters and producers from behind the scenes, including DoRohn Gough, J-Dub of Bad Boy Records' Hitmen, 9th Wonder, and even Teddy Riley.
Simply put, if you are a true R&B fan, the Original Album Club is where you need to be.
Commentaires