Shannon's "Let the Music Play" and the Birth of Freestyle

DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray ride the subway back to 1983 New York for Shannon's "Let the Music Play," the debut single that topped the Billboard dance chart, reached No. 2 R&B and No. 8 on the Hot 100, and is widely credited with launching freestyle. Jay Ray traces the record to "Fire and Ice," a demo Bronx-born Chris Barbosa built in his bedroom on gear his grandmother helped him buy.

The hosts get into the two stories behind the song: Shannon has said the lyrics were written by Ann Godwin, who was signed to Motown's publishing company and gave the credit to her brother, Ed Chisolm, and the "let the music play" hook is sung by session singer Jimi Tunnell, not Shannon. They close on freestyle's arena circuit today and on Barbosa, who died in 2024.

The Breakdown Friday Night Videos, Mr. Francis' Radio and 1983 New York "Fire and Ice": Chris Barbosa's Bedroom Beat Who Wrote It and Who Sang the Hook The Shannon Sound, Freestyle and Chris Barbosa's Legacy Chapters 00:00 Intro Theme 00:04 Intro: Back to 1983 New York 01:36 Sir Daniel's Memories of Friday Night Videos 03:23 Jay Ray's Childhood and Freestyle's Origins 05:19 Chris Barbosa Builds the Beat 07:46 Janet Jackson Sample and Freestyle's Hip Hop Roots 09:32 Shannon's Unlikely Discovery 11:59 Just Gig and Work: Organic Stardom 12:47 Rhythm and Romance: The Lyrics Story 15:37 The Hook Isn't Shannon 16:39 Freestyle Shows and Regional Scenes 20:42 Community, Collaboration, and Chris Barbosa's Legacy 22:00 Closing Thoughts 23:36 Outro Theme Read the Red Bull Music Academy "Key Tracks" piece with Shannon and Chris Barbosa: Chris Barbosa - "Fire and Ice:" #QueuePoints #Shannon #LetTheMusicPlay #Freestyle #BlackMusicHistory