Music Addikts

Photo Credit: Justin Russell

Week to week, us ADDIKTS are continually amazed at the breadth of talent and music that has made up American History. This week, we remember Curtis Mayfield. A multi-instrumentalist, Mayfield graced the earth with his presence for a short 57 years, but his music lives on.

Best known for his production of the “SuperFly” soundtrack, Mayfield was also a member of the famed group, The Impressions.  The Superfly soundtrack was noted for its deviation from ghetto excessiveness characterizing earlier blaxploitation works. Instead, Mayfield used the soundtrack as a platform to comment on real issues affecting black in urban, economically depressed communities.

What Talib Kweli, Common and others did for socially conscious rap, Mayfield did for R&B and funk. 

Mayfield met his maker in 1999, sadly leaving behind a host of family members including his wife, brother, sisters, 10 children and 7 grandchildren.