Ep.61: Celebrating ESG w/ Co-Founder, Singer & Guitarist Renee Scroggins; Journalist, Cultural Critic & Professor Carol Cooper

 

Left: ESG (1991) album. Right: Come Away With ESG (1983) album.

Forty five years ago,four sisters, Valerie, Renee, Deborah, and Marie Scroggins formed the funk-punk dance band, ESG, in the South Bronx, NYC.

Their name stands for Emerald, Sapphire, and Gold: Valerie's birthstone is Emerald, Renee's is Sapphire, and going gold was their goal. The sisters transformed the New York City music scene with their electric beats which combined funk, hip-hop, punk, and Latin groove.

Their catchy lyrics and energetic sets immediately had an effect when performed live, making waves on college radios and at highly influential clubs and gig venues such as the Paradise Garage, Mud Club, Tier 3 and Danceteria.

In conversation with Stance, the band’s co-founder and lead vocalist, Renee Scroggins, delves into their South Bronx origins, performing and entertaining audiences, and her plans for the future which include their upcoming documentary “Are You Serious?” and plans for their farewell tour.

ESG photographed by Philippe Levy

ESG Performance

Carol Cooper

Pop Culture Considered as an Uphill Bicycle Race by Carol Cooper

Carol Cooper is a New York-based journalist, writer and cultural critic who has been reviewing music, film and literature for over two decades. Currently, she teaches at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute for Recorded Music.

A key voice documenting the new music of the 70’s & 80’s, she’s witnessed and written about ESG’s rise and popularity. Carol’s writing has appeared in national and international publications including The Face, Black Music Magazine and The New York Times.

She is the author of a collection of music, film, book, and nightlife essays titled Pop Culture Considered as an Uphill Bicycle Race: Selected Critical Essays 1979-2001.  Carol has also previously served as East Coast Director of Black Music Artists and National Director of Black Music Artists and Repertoire for Columbia Records.

Carol speaks with Stance on how ESG burst onto the scene, and their role in shaping NYC’s fabric of sound at the time.  

 
Chrystal Genesis