Most of us Old Schoolers remember C+C Music Factory’s ’90s classics, “Gonna Make You Sweat” and “Things That Make You Go Hmmm.” But if you’re like some of here at ILOSM, you may not have known that the Grammy award winning, multiplatinum selling group lost one of it’s founding members, David Cole, at a very young age.

On January 24, 1995, just one year after C+C+Music Factory released their sophomore album, Anything Goes!, David Cole passed away from spinal meningitis. The thing that shocked folks even more is that his spinal condition was listed as a complication from the AIDS virus, which David had quietly been battling for a while, according to several media reports.
He was just 32 years old at the time of his death and as far as we know, he didn’t have any children and wasn’t married, but he was survived by his mother, grandmother, and three sisters- all of whom are from Passaic, NJ.

David Cole, along with his C+C Music Factory co-founder, Robert Clivillés, produced several hits and remixes for music legends like Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, and others. David also won a Grammy for his work on The Bodyguard soundtrack, starring the late Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner.

MARIAH CAREY RELEASED “ONE SWEET DAY” WITH BOYZ II MEN IN MEMORY OF DAVID COLE

David Cole- one of the underrated musical gems of the ’90s R&B/hip hop/pop eras. Although he had to leave this earth so soon, his musical legacy will continue to live on. Rest easy David Cole.

The post C+C Music Factory Singer Died So Young, His Friend Mariah Carey Made Hit Song In His Honor appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Most of us Old Schoolers remember C+C Music Factory’s ’90s classics, “Gonna Make You Sweat” and “Things That Make You Go Hmmm.” But if you’re like some of here at ILOSM, you may not have known that the Grammy award winning, multiplatinum selling group lost one of it’s founding members, David Cole, at a very young age.

On January 24, 1995, just one year after C+C+Music Factory released their sophomore album, Anything Goes!, David Cole passed away from spinal meningitis. The thing that shocked folks even more is that his spinal condition was listed as a complication from the AIDS virus, which David had quietly been battling for a while, according to several media reports.
He was just 32 years old at the time of his death and as far as we know, he didn’t have any children and wasn’t married, but he was survived by his mother, grandmother, and three sisters- all of whom are from Passaic, NJ.

David Cole, along with his C+C Music Factory co-founder, Robert Clivillés, produced several hits and remixes for music legends like Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, and others. David also won a Grammy for his work on The Bodyguard soundtrack, starring the late Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner.

MARIAH CAREY RELEASED “ONE SWEET DAY” WITH BOYZ II MEN IN MEMORY OF DAVID COLE

David Cole- one of the underrated musical gems of the ’90s R&B/hip hop/pop eras. Although he had to leave this earth so soon, his musical legacy will continue to live on. Rest easy David Cole.

The post C+C Music Factory Singer Died So Young…Friend, Mariah Carey, Made Hit Song In His Honor appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

As soon as most of we true Old School heads hear the words “Everybody Dance Now…Gonna Make You Sweat!” blasting through our speakers, we know it’s about to be on and poppin’ from there. Remember how we couldn’t turn on the radio, or go to a club, without hearing that joint come on back in the day?

That was  C&C Music Factory’s biggest hit and it’s been heating up wedding receptions and radio stations all over the world ever since 1990. The song was even featured on The Fresh Prince of Belair, when “Aunt Viv” set it off in her dance class. Freedom Williams was then known as the ponytail rockin,’ lead rapper of C+C Music Factory after he was featured on the song. Now, over 20 years later, he’s still performing and he has a new lady in his life.

Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm:

Freedom still has it. Although he’s no longer performing with the original group members of C&C Music Factory, he still performs their hit songs, as well as solo material. Currently, Williams joined the ‘I Love The 90’s Tour,’ with legendary groups from that era, including TLC, Blackstreet and others. Appreciative and hella excited to be on stage, Williams shared footage of the tour on his Instagram page…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYY_m7EjKIo/

Meet His Fiancee’

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXEgLE5AZcb/

When he’s not performing, Williams likes to spend time with the leading lady in his life and no, we’re not talking about the lead singer of his former group, Zelma Davis, we’re talking about the leading lady in his personal life. Freedom is expecting a baby boy and is engaged to be married to his beautiful fiancee,’ Imari Alaji (scroll down to see video of him proposing to her). In real life, her goal is to actually ‘make people sweat,’ because she is a fitness trainer. Once considered a plus size woman, Imari Alaji shared her transformation photos and her passion to help people become healthier…

Why Were Some Fans Surprised?

When news of their relationship spread, fans of Freedom Williams’ contacted I Love Old School Music because they were surprised that he was dating her. Believe it or not, some fans were shocked that Williams chose a mocha complexioned woman to be his queen. You see, oftentimes in the music industry, African American male entertainers are seen with women who are the typical ‘video girl’ types: light skinned, or of a race other than their own. Now, we wanna be clear, we think light, brown, and dark skin women (and women of all races) are ALL very attractive- so the ‘video girl’ description is not a diss to anyone, it’s just an observation, moving on…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXRcF8ljjAp/

So it was refreshing to see Freedom Williams follow his own mind/heart, instead of succumbing to what appears to be the status quo for many Black male entertainers’ girlfriends/wives- either light, White, ‘Kim Kardashian type,’ or else it just ain’t right. Again, that’s not a diss, just being real, no need to ignore the obvious. Anywho, check out his video proposal to his beautiful fiancee’ and their baby shower below…

Their Baby Shower

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXmFhC-jJfF/

Freedom’s Proposal To Fiancee’ (swipe left for video)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BX5gPQvA5aQ/

The post See C+C Music Factory Rapper Propose To Pregnant Girlfriend, But Why Are Some Shocked? appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

After the first album, things gradually went downhill and despite the group’s success, they found themselves in the midst of controversy due to lip-synching allegations. All the drama began when the group’s lead singer Marsha Wash actually sued the group after another C&C Music Factory vocalist, Zelma Davis, was filmed lip-synching Wash’s vocals in the music video for “Everybody Dance Now.” The lawsuit was ultimately settled out of court and a disclaimer was added to the video credits “crediting Wash for vocals and Davis for “visualization,” according to Rolling Stone. 

Despite the vocal discrepancy, Zelma Davis is still the singer most fans associate with “Everybody Dance Now.”  It’s been more than 20 years since C+C dominated the music industry but Zelma Davis hasn’t changed much at all. If you haven’t seen her, you’d probably be surprised to see what she looks like now. She’s definitely an ageless beauty whose bangin’ good looks have only gotten better with time.

C+C MUSIC FACTORY’S, ZELMA DAVIS, NOW

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkBug1PHIxo/?taken-by=zelma.davis

While with C+C Music Factory, Zelma and the group won five American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, four Billboard Music Awards and received one Grammy Award nomination. Although the group is no longer in the spotlight, Zelma is still a solo singer. However, the road back to stardom hasn’t been easy. During a previous Rolling Stone interview, Zelma explained how she never received the royalties she deserved for her work with C+C. Although she Freedom Williams were always associated with the group, unfortunately, their place in the group wasn’t what most fans would assume.

“C&C Music Factory was always clearly David Cole and Robert Clivillés,” said Zelma Davis, who was one of C&C Music Factory’s lead vocalists. “Freedom and I were told that we were featured members of the group, not owners of the band.”

Members of the group are still embroiled in a heated legal battle over royalties and creative rights for the group. Hopefully, things rule in favor of those who have been fighting for so long.

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