What's Good Ya'll! I'm back in my documentary bag and I have a new one ya'll have got to watch! Remember Milli Vanilli? It's ok if you don't lol, majority of us millennials were babies/toddlers or not even thought of yet when they were around. However, the rise and fall to fame for Milli Vanilli is one full of scandal and for the longest time public opinion has had great disdain for the faces of the duo, Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus. I implore you to take an 1 hour and 46 mins of your time to watch this wild ride. Not only do I feel like its apart of history but also a lesson, to all artists.
The tale is as old as time; young black kids who come from nothing with no money whatsoever work hard and do what they can to make it out. In comes the big, bad, majority white-owned record labels who prey on young talent like them and regardless of what they lack they will suck them dry until their is nothing left.
This documentary is beautiful and I love the way it tells the story accurately from beginning to end. I never knew what happened to Milli Vanilli nor was I aware of how their story began. I loved learning the history and background of both Rob and Fabrice. The documentary pulls you every which way. Your heart strings are pulled for the simple fact that these are young black men just trying to make it, then you realize they were in on the scam, could have walked away but instead allowed the fame and fortune get to their head. The label wanted stars and they created exactly that, so ultimately I had a hard time seeing where Rob and Fabrice went wrong. If they were to come out today it would be nothing people are scamming like it's their job now lol.
At the end of the day, Fab and Rob could have been everything the label claimed them to be, they had the look and the moves already. Had the label took time to actually invest in them as real artists instead of looking for a quick get-rich scheme, I truly believe Rob Pilatus would still be alive today. What's so disgusting about their story is this wasn't the first time the label and music producer, Frank Forian had pulled this stint. Frank Forian had been scamming and using black artists since the 70's starting with Boney M. In 1978, it became public knowledge that frontman Bobby Farrell, a Black Aruban dancer, lip-synced over other vocals, often Farian’s, though the arrangement was met with little backlash.
I want to be clear here, I do not take away the blame from the artists who went along with the scam, because ultimately they could have said no...but lets be really real friends, if you are a black young artist and someone approaches you with a large sum of money, mind you you have nothing and you come from nothing, watchchu gone do? Most people aren't going to choose their morals over money and that's just facts. Black faces were put on the chopping block per usual for the actions of whiteness within an industry that barely pays us and acknowledges us in the first place! They ruined names and reputations for all of these artists with no consequences whatsoever.
I honestly want to dedicate this article to honor Mili Vanilli, the real voices behind their vocals, Charles Shaw and John Davis, Brad Howell and twin sisters Jodie and Linda Rocco and lastly, the faces of and dancers of the duo Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus.
And I as I stated before, I hope this documentary is an example. These labels don't give a damn about artists. Invest in your talent and ultimately you'll be investing in yourself! Peace ya'll!
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