Podcast: "Inaugur-what?" (The BackBeat)

In this week's episode of The BackBeat, we get into Kanye West not being invited to perform at the inauguration while Chrisette Michele and Jennifer Holliday were. We also get into Alicia Keys pushing back against gender norms as well as Taylor Bennett and Makonnen coming out as bisexual and gay respectivley.

Make sure you tune into the end of the episode to get into our songs of the moment. Kyera choses songs from The Brothers Johnson, Funkadelic, and Prince. Meanwhile Marcus selects songs from Jimmy Scott, Ariana Grande, as well as Sevyn Streeter.

Live Audio: "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (Jennifer Holliday)

This live audio of Jennifer Holliday never gets old in my book and even though the audio quality is a little off, it's still on point in my book.

With that said, back in 1984 Jennifer Holliday took to the 1984 Oscar telecast to perform a stirring rendition of the Oscar nominated ballad "The Way He Makes Me Feel". Lifted from the soundtrack to the Oscar-nominated film Yentl, Holliday stepped in for Barbra Streisand to perform the powerful rendition of the classic song.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holliday's powerhouse and legendary take on "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Giving Up" (Jennifer Holliday)

Jennifer Holliday is best known for originating the role of Effie White in the original broadway production of "Dreamgirls," which would later win the powerhouse vocalist both a Tony and a Grammy for her show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You."

While Holliday is still known primarily for this joint, one of my favorite songs in her discography is her cover of the Donny Hathaway hit and Gladys Knight & The Pips original "Giving Up." Having originally been write by Van McCoy and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Holliday infuses her legendary pipes into this classic and turns it into a near 9 minute soulful opus.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holiday's sublime rendition of "Giving Up" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Giving Up" (Jennifer Holliday)

Jennifer Holliday is best known for originating the role of Effie White in the original broadway production of "Dreamgirls," which would later win the powerhouse vocalist both a Tony and a Grammy for her show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You."

While Holliday is still known primarily for this joint, one of my favorite songs in her discography is her cover of the Donny Hathaway hit and Gladys Knight & The Pips original "Giving Up." Having originally been write by Van McCoy and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Holliday infuses her legendary pipes into this classic and turns it into a near 9 minute soulful opus.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holiday's sublime rendition of "Giving Up" and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (Jennifer Holliday)

This live audio of Jennifer Holliday never gets old in my book and even though the audio quality is a little off, it's still on point in my book.

With that said, back in 1984 Jennifer Holliday took to the 1984 Oscar telecast to perform a stirring rendition of the Oscar nominated ballad "The Way He Makes Me Feel". Lifted from the soundtrack to the Oscar-nominated film Yentl, Holliday stepped in for Barbra Streisand to perform the powerful rendition of the classic song.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holliday's powerhouse and legendary take on "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Giving Up" (Jennifer Holliday)

Jennifer Holliday is best known for originating the role of Effie White in the original broadway production of "Dreamgirls," which would later win the powerhouse vocalist both a Tony and a Grammy for her show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You."

While Holliday is still known primarily for this joint, one of my favorite songs in her discography is her cover of the Donny Hathaway hit and Gladys Knight & The Pips original "Giving Up." Having originally been write by Van McCoy and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Holliday infuses her legendary pipes into this classic and turns it into a near 9 minute soulful opus.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holiday's sublime rendition of "Giving Up" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Giving Up" (Jennifer Holliday)

Jennifer Holliday is best known for originating the role of Effie White in the original broadway production of "Dreamgirls," which would later win the powerhouse vocalist both a Tony and a Grammy for her show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You."

While Holliday is still known primarily for this joint, one of my favorite songs in her discography is her cover of the Donny Hathaway hit and Gladys Knight & The Pips original "Giving Up." Having originally been write by Van McCoy and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Holliday infuses her legendary pipes into this classic and turns it into a near 9 minute soulful opus.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holiday's sublime rendition of "Giving Up" and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (Jennifer Holliday)

This live audio of Jennifer Holliday never gets old in my book and even though the audio quality is a little off, it's still on point in my book.

With that said, back in 1984 Jennifer Holliday took to the 1984 Oscar telecast to perform a stirring rendition of the Oscar nominated ballad "The Way He Makes Me Feel". Lifted from the soundtrack to the Oscar-nominated film Yentl, Holliday stepped in for Barbra Streisand to perform the powerful rendition of the classic song.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holliday's powerhouse and legendary take on "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Giving Up" (Jennifer Holliday)

Jennifer Holliday is best known for originating the role of Effie White in the original broadway production of "Dreamgirls," which would later win the powerhouse vocalist both a Tony and a Grammy for her show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You."

While Holliday is still known primarily for this joint, one of my favorite songs in her discography is her cover of the Donny Hathaway hit and Gladys Knight & The Pips original "Giving Up." Having originally been write by Van McCoy and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Holliday infuses her legendary pipes into this classic and turns it into a near 9 minute soulful opus.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holiday's sublime rendition of "Giving Up" and Enjoy!

Live Clip: "And I Am Telling You" (Melanie Amaro)

Yesterday, the internet exploded a bit raving about an "unknown" singer who was belting out a brilliant rendition of the Dreamgirls classic "And I Am Telling You." Some even went so far as to recommend that this rare talent audition for the forthcoming season of The X-Factor USA.

Much to my surprise, when I actually watched the video that was making its rounds on the net, it was Melanie Amaro, season one winner of The X-Factor USA and I was dumbfounded a bit that a lot of people didn't recognize Melanie or her phenomenal voice.

With that said, hopefully the newly increased interest in Melanie will help push her lingering debut album, as not much has been heard of her musically since the second season of The X-Factor USA.

Therefore, watch Melanie's powerhouse rendition of "And I Am Telling You" below and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Giving Up" (Jennifer Holliday)

Jennifer Holliday is best known for originating the role of Effie White in the original broadway production of "Dreamgirls," which would later win the powerhouse vocalist both a Tony and a Grammy for her show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You."

While Holliday is still known primarily for this joint, one of my favorite songs in her discography is her cover of the Donny Hathaway hit and Gladys Knight & The Pips original "Giving Up." Having originally been write by Van McCoy and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Holliday infuses her legendary pipes into this classic and turns it into a near 9 minute soulful opus.

Take a listen below to Jennifer Holiday's sublime rendition of "Giving Up" and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (Jennifer Holliday)

This live audio of Jennifer Holliday never gets old in my book and even though the audio quality is a little off, it's still on point in my book.

With that said, back in 1984 Jennifer Holliday took to the 1984 Oscar telecast to perform a stirring rendition of the Oscar nominated ballad "The Way He Makes Me Feel". Lifted from the soundtrack to the Oscar-nominated film Yentl, Holliday stepped in for Barbra Streisand to perform the powerful rendition of the classic song.

Take a listen after the jump to Jennifer Holliday's take on "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (Jennifer Holliday)

This live audio of Jennifer Holliday never gets old in my book and even though the audio quality is a little off, it's still on point in my book. With that said, back in 1984 Jennifer Holliday took to the 1984 Oscar telecast to perform a stirring rendition of the Oscar nominated ballad "The Way He Makes Me Feel". Lifted from the soundtrack to the Oscar-nominated film Yentl, Holliday stepped in for Barbra Streisand to perform the powerful rendition of the classic song. Take a listen after the jump to Jennifer Holliday's take on "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Say You, Love Me" (Jennifer Holliday)

Back in 1985, Jennifer Holliday released her sophomore album on Geffen Records entitled Say You, Love Me. While the album would only boast two singles, the title track "Say You, Love Me" is one of those slow smooth jam instant classics that just warrants a listen or two. With that said, take a hopefully second listen below to Jennifer Holliday's "Say You, Love Me" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Giving Up" (Jennifer Holliday)

Jennifer Holliday is best known for originating the role of Effie White in the original broadway production of "Dreamgirls," which would later win the powerhouse vocalist both a Tony and a Grammy for her show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You." While Holliday is still known primarily for this joint, one of my favorite songs in her discography is her cover of the Donny Hathaway hit and Gladys Knight & The Pips original "Giving Up." Having originally been write by Van McCoy and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Holliday infuses her legendary pipes into this classic and turns it into a near 9 minute soulful opus. Take a listen below to her sublime rendition of "Giving Up" and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (Jennifer Holliday)

This live audio of Jennifer Holliday never gets old in my book and even though the audio quality is a little off, it's still on point in my book. With that said, back in 1984 Jennifer Holliday took to the 1984 Oscar telecast to perform a stirring rendition of the Oscar nominated ballad "The Way He Makes Me Feel". Lifted from the soundtrack to the Oscar nominated film "Yentl", Holliday stepped in for Barbra Streisand to perform the powerful rendition of the classic song. Take a listen below to Jennifer Holliday's take on "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (Jennifer Holliday)

Back in 1984 Jennifer Holliday took to the 1984 Oscar telecast to perform a stirring rendition of the Oscar nominated ballad "The Way He Makes Me Feel". Lifted from the soundtrack to the Oscar nominated film "Yentl", Holliday stepped in for Barbra Streisand to perform the powerful rendition of the classic song. Take a listen below to Jennifer Holliday's take on "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and Enjoy!

Amazing Cover: "Giving Up" (Jennifer Holliday)

Jennifer Holliday is best known for originating the role of Effie White in the original broadway production of "Dreamgirls," which would later win the powerhouse vocalist both a Tony and a Grammy for her show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You." While Holliday is still known primarily for this joint, one of my favorite songs in her discography is her cover of the Donny Hathaway hit and Gladys Knight & The Pips original "Giving Up." Having originally been write by Van McCoy and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Holliday infuses her legendary pipes into this classic and turns it into a near 9 minute soulful opus. Take a listen below to her sublime rendition of "Giving Up" and Enjoy!

Live Audio: "The Way He Makes Me Feel" (Jennifer Holliday)

Back in 1984 Jennifer Holliday took to the 1984 Oscar telecast to perform a stirring rendition of the Oscar nominated ballad "The Way He Makes Me Feel". Lifted from the soundtrack to the Oscar nominated film "Yentl", Holliday stepped in for Barbra Streisand to perform the powerful rendition of the classic song. Take a listen below to Jennifer Holliday's take on "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and Enjoy!

Second Listen: "Say You, Love Me" (Jennifer Holliday)

Back in 1985, Jennifer Holliday released her sophomore album on Geffen Records entitled "Say You, Love Me." While the album would only boast two singles, the title track "Say You, Love Me" is one of those slow smooth jam instant classics that just warrants a listen or two. With that said, take a first or hopefully second listen below to Jennifer Holliday's "Say You, Love Me" and Enjoy!