(saxophone and drums play upbeat jazz)
Hi. Welcome to "CP Time,"
the only show that's for the culture.
Today, we'll be talking about the history
of black entertainers.
I know these days, you can see black performers
on all the biggest stages--
the MTV Awards, the Grammys,
and even on Broadway.
I once paid $1,000 for tickets to see Hamilton.
Turns out they was a fake.
Apparently, they don't print Broadway tickets
on the back of Jamba Juice receipts.
-(laughter) -Lesson learned.
But what a lot of people don't know is that back in the day,
the biggest stages and best venues
only allowed white performers,
and so, many black performers actually got their start
on the Chitlin' Circuit, which was the name given
to a network of theaters and clubs
where black performers could play for black audiences.
It was like BET, but without all the Martin reruns.
(laughter)
The Chitlin' Circuit was first established
in Indianapolis by Denver Ferguson,
a man who looks like Chris Rock
in the new season of Fargo.
Ferguson started the Chitlin' Circuit
as a way to launder money from illegal lottery games,
but it unexpectedly became a huge success.
That's right-- by trying to break the law,
Ferguson accidentally started an artistic revolution.
It was like the time I tried
to vandalize my ex-wife's apartment
and ended up launching the Street Art Movement.
-Banksy, my ass. -(laughter)
The Chitlin' Circuit went on to launch the careers of legends,
like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Duke Ellington.
Without Duke Ellington,
we we wouldn't have legends like Kenny G.
The boy may look funny,
but I made all my favorite children
-to the sound of his saxophone. -♪ ♪
"G" is for "Goddamn, that's smooth!"
Mm.
I actually have tickets to see Kenny G this weekend.
Oh, wait. These are for Lenny G.
Ain't that a bit...
I got to stop buying my tickets from Uber drivers.
They're good seats, though.
The Chitlin' Circuit also launched one
of the biggest crossover artists of all time--
Little Richard.
We all remember his smash hit "Tutti Frutti."
Everyone was singing...
"A whop bop buh-lubap buh-whop bam boom."
But what you might not know is that Little Richard had
to rewrite the original lyrics to "Tutti Frutti"
to make them less sexually-charged
for white audiences.
The original lyrics to the song went like this.
These are the real lyrics.
"Tutti frutti, good booty.
"If it don't fit, don't force it.
You can grease..."
Goddamn, Little Richard!
You're filthy.
-And I like it. -(laughter)
Another man who was vital to the success
of the Chitlin' Circuit was Don Robey,
a music promoter and the first black music mogul.
Unfortunately, Robey did not have the best reputation.
He was known as the "Gangster of Gospel,"
because on several occasions,
he pulled a gun on gospel artists
and demanded their publishing rights.
That's right.
He held up gospel singers.
In fact, that's where gospel singers got this move from.
"Uh-uh."
♪ Lord, Lord, Jesus. ♪
Don Robey's ruthless business tactics paved the way
for black record moguls like Suge Knight,
a man who I have nothing bad to say about,
because I do not like being murdered.
That's all the time we have for today.
I'm Roy Wood Jr.
This has been "CP Time."
Remember, we're for the culture.
And here to play us out,
the one and only... Lenny G!
Hit it, Lenny.
-(playing upbeat, smooth jazz) -Mmm.
Oh, I feel another baby coming on!
-♪ ♪ -(cheers and applause)